5 Cuyahoga County residents dead following suspected overdoses in 12-hour span
CLEVELAND, Ohio (WOIO) - Suspected drug overdoses killed five Cuyahoga County residents on Thursday, according to the Cuyahoga County Medical Examiner’s Office.
Dr. Thomas Gilson said the suspected overdoses all occurred within a time span of 12 hours.
Officials confirmed a 38-year-old Broadview Heights man, a 32-year-old Cleveland woman, a 63-year-old Cleveland man, a 52-year-old Cleveland man and a 70-year-old Parma woman all died as a result of suspected drug overdoses.
“Drug overdose continues to be a problem in our community with periodic clusters of deaths like yesterday. Individuals should avoid using illicit drugs or use a harm reduction plan in the event they are unable to stop using. Treatment can help with long-term sobriety.”
The medical examiner’s office also offered five tips in developing a plan if a family member is recovering from opioid addiction:
- Have Naloxone and fentanyl test strips ready: Naloxone and fentanyl test strips will work with most cases.
- Don’t use drugs alone: There is a much higher risk of fatally overdosing if another person is not monitoring.
- Call 911: The Good Samaritan Law provides immunity for a minor drug possession or drug paraphernalia offense for the person who overdosed and the person who called 911 to seek help.
- Seek treatment: As with most chronic diseases, addiction is treatable. While treatment may vary on an individual’s needs, recovery is possible.
This is a developing story. Return to 19 News for updates.
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