Montgomery County overdose deaths on pace to set new record — by June

Credit: DaytonDailyNews

Dayton
By Cory Frolik
May 17, 2017
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Montgomery County likely will surpass 2016’s record-setting year for accidental overdose deaths by the end of June and with half the year remaining.

RELATED: As overdose victims pile up, Montgomery County coroner adds workers

Montgomery County Coroner Dr. Kent Harshbarger, pictured with Kialee Bowles, will get three more investigators as the overdose deaths continue to rise. His office said the county likely will reach a record for overdose deaths by the end of June with half the year remaining after. STAFF / CHRIS STEWART

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The stark prediction came from Ken Betz, director of the Montgomery County Coroner’s Office.

Last year, there were 349 unintentional overdose deaths in the county, most of which involved heroin and fentynal. As of May 16, there have already been about 300 deaths.

SPECIAL REPORT: Heroin’s impact

The county is on pace to end the year with 700 to 800 fatal overdoses, Betz said.

“We’ve never, as a community, experienced this volume of accidental overdoses,” he said.

MORE: Miami County 2017 overdose deaths surpass last year’s total

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About the Author

Cory Frolik