Virginia’s statewide battle against opioid-related overdoses continues, as preliminary numbers suggest that deaths are on the rise in the first quarter of 2017.
The Virginia Department of Health has released a report showing opioid overdoses remain the primary cause of unnatural and accidental death in the Commonwealth — hundreds more than both gun and automobile-related deaths.
Although preliminary data shows only one opioid-related death in the Historic Triangle between January and March 2017, statewide data indicates opioid-related deaths – particularly from fentanyl – could potentially exceed previous years’ rates.
The sole reported overdose death in 2017 was in James City County, although the health department’s 2017 data is still “incomplete, preliminary and subject to change.”
Last year, overdose deaths were at some of their highest rates since 2007 in the Historic Triangle.
In 2016, Williamsburg’s fatal opioid overdose rate was at 26.9 per 100,000 people, the second-highest it’s been in ten years. Two overdoses occurred in 2016.
York County’s rate also reached its second-highest level in ten years in 2016, topping 8 deaths at a rate of 11.5 per 100,000 people.
Last year was James City County’s third-highest year for opioid deaths, with 4 overdoses at a rate of 5.5 per 100,000 people. For all types of drugs, James City County reached its highest fatal overdose rate in 2016, topping 8.2 per 100,000.
About 50 percent of fatal opioid overdoses in Williamsburg and York County in 2016 were caused by fentanyl, according to data. One-quarter of James City County’s overdoses were caused by fentanyl.
The state health department estimates that as many as 690 people statewide will overdose on fentanyl this year, with illicitly produced fentanyl making up the bulk cause of overdoses.
Statewide emergency
From 2007-2015, opioids made up about 75 percent of all fatal drug overdoses, the report shows.
In November, State Health Commissioner Marissa Levine declared Virginia’s opioid crisis a public health emergency. The emergency allows Virginians to obtain naloxone, a potentially life-saving drug used after an overdose, from any pharmacy. The order is in effect for two years, starting in November 2016.
In the first three months of 2017, the number of statewide fatal opioid overdoses reached 306 – about 27 percent of 2016’s 1,138 fatal overdoses.
Although rural areas of Virginia have the highest mortality rates due to prescription opioids, urban areas have the highest mortality rates due to illicit opioids, the report states.
Statewide, there were 113 prescription opioid overdoses for the first quarter of 2017, which fell from 124 in the first quarter of 2016. An estimated 471 people will overdose on prescription opioids, excluding prescription fentanyl.
Fentanyl’s growing presence
Additionally, the opioid fentanyl caused the most deaths statewide – over heroin and oxycodone – in 2016, and is predicted to do so again in 2017. The report states fentanyl became a commonly used additive to heroin starting in 2010.
According to the report, fentanyl-related overdoses have increased more than 176 percent in the last two years. In the first quarter of 2017, 190 Virginians have died from fentanyl overdoses alone.
Preliminary data for James City and York counties, as well as the City of Williamsburg, reflect this increase.
York County saw its highest fentanyl overdose rate so far in 2016 at 5.8 per 100,000 people, and Williamsburg and James City County saw their second-highest rates at 13.5 and 1.4 per 100,000, respectively.
Non-opioid related deaths are projected to remain constant with 2016 reports, with an estimated 290 deaths by end of year – making up roughly 20 percent of projected drug overdoses for all of 2017.
