Overdose Deaths Increasing in Armstrong County
Armstrong County Coroner Brian Myers said in his quarterly report released yesterday that there were three times as many overdose deaths in the first three months of 2015 than in the first three months of 2014.
By Jonathan Weaver
Compared to the first three months of 2014, Armstrong County has seen three times as many drug overdoses where residents have died.
In Coroner Brian Myers’ first quarter report, he indicated that through March 31, there were nine confirmed drug overdoses that led to death within the county.
At least five of those deaths are heroin related, Myers said yesterday. A trio of deaths is also pending so far in the past few weeks.
He said it is frustrating to see that number increase after such educational events such as the Drugs Kill Dreams Jail Experience and several community “Take Back” meetings – including so far this year in Elderton, Parker and Apollo.
A fourth “Take Back Our Community” meeting is scheduled Wednesday, April 29 in Leechburg at the Leechburg Volunteer Fire Department along Canal Street.
A safe driving event will also be held this Friday at West Shamokin Junior-Senior High in Rural Valley, in conjunction with the Pennsylvania Department of Transportation.
There was only a trio of deaths – all heroin related from January through March 2014.
Myers said the 2015 deaths so far – which involved eight males and one female in various regions of the county – have an average age of 45 years old, ranging from 30 to 62 years of age.
“I don’t think people realize that it’s such a wide range of people dying – these are kids’ parents dying, Myers said.
“There’s not one community hit harder than another – no community is exempt from this problem.”
He predicted that that age range will only widen after the next three investigations and autopsies are complete.
“There really aren’t any cases that tie each other together – we’re seeing so many different stamp bags. It’s not just one that is causing deaths,” Myers said.
Even with a collaborative effort with State and local police, as well as with Armstrong County Sheriff Bill Rupert, Myers said local residents must also help prevent the spread.
Myers encouraged residents, even if it is anonymously, to tell local police of any suspicious activity or to call the Sheriff’s Department through the “See Something, Say Something” hotline: 724-548-3265
Armstrong County District Attorney also has the toll-free drug tip line, 1-800-NO-DRUG0
“We need to use those,” Myers said. “If you know someone that needs help, please use these and save some lives. I don’t think people realize how many people this effects.”
Local News | jweaver April 23, 2015
