Addressing the Problem of Overdose in Allegheny County: How the Community Can Make a Difference
was a one-day event designed to initiate development of a strategic prevention framework addressing the problem of overdose in Allegheny County by the formation and support of working groups which will identify and implement appropriate community impact activities to create a meaningful impact at the community level.
Did you know that the number of drug overdose deaths (252) within Allegheny Count in 2006 exceeded the COMBINED number of deaths by both motor vehicle accidents (70) and homicide deaths (96)?
The issue of fatal and non-fatal drug overdoses is a significant public health concern. Poisoning which includes overdoses on illicit drugs, alcohol and medications is the leading cause of injury death for individuals age 35-44 and the third leading cause of injury death overall, trailing motor vehicle accidents and firearm related deaths (CDC, 2006). A group of local leaders that has been convened by the Allegheny County Department of Human Services, Bureau of Drug and Alcohol Services, also known as the Strategic Guidance Group (SGG), has been meeting for over a year to discuss how Allegheny County might address the steadily increasing number of drug overdose deaths in our community. These leaders and organizations include: Allegheny County Department of Human Services, Bureau of Drug and Alcohol Services, Allegheny County Medical Examiner's Office, Bridges to Hope, Pyramid Healthcare, Community Care Behavioral Health (CCBHO), Gateway Rehabilitation Center, Prevention Point Pittsburgh, Western Psychiatric Institute and Clinic Narcotic Addiction Treatment Program, along with other provider and consumer organizations.
While overdose deaths due to the utilization of illicit street drugs such as heroin and cocaine accounted for approximately 40% of the overdose deaths in 2006, the number of deaths that involved prescription drugs has increased at an alarming rate in the County and has been observed nationally. In particular, rates of overdose due to fentanyl have increased nationally as well as in Allegheny County, in addition to increases in overdoses related to methadone, while the rate of overdose deaths due to heroin have decreased locally over the past several years.
In order to facilitate action and community involvement around the issue of overdose deaths in Allegheny County, a one-day conference has been planned. The conference served as a starting point to address this important and critical issue within our community.
Did you know that the number of drug overdose deaths (252) within Allegheny Count in 2006 exceeded the COMBINED number of deaths by both motor vehicle accidents (70) and homicide deaths (96)?
The issue of fatal and non-fatal drug overdoses is a significant public health concern. Poisoning which includes overdoses on illicit drugs, alcohol and medications is the leading cause of injury death for individuals age 35-44 and the third leading cause of injury death overall, trailing motor vehicle accidents and firearm related deaths (CDC, 2006). A group of local leaders that has been convened by the Allegheny County Department of Human Services, Bureau of Drug and Alcohol Services, also known as the Strategic Guidance Group (SGG), has been meeting for over a year to discuss how Allegheny County might address the steadily increasing number of drug overdose deaths in our community. These leaders and organizations include: Allegheny County Department of Human Services, Bureau of Drug and Alcohol Services, Allegheny County Medical Examiner's Office, Bridges to Hope, Pyramid Healthcare, Community Care Behavioral Health (CCBHO), Gateway Rehabilitation Center, Prevention Point Pittsburgh, Western Psychiatric Institute and Clinic Narcotic Addiction Treatment Program, along with other provider and consumer organizations.
While overdose deaths due to the utilization of illicit street drugs such as heroin and cocaine accounted for approximately 40% of the overdose deaths in 2006, the number of deaths that involved prescription drugs has increased at an alarming rate in the County and has been observed nationally. In particular, rates of overdose due to fentanyl have increased nationally as well as in Allegheny County, in addition to increases in overdoses related to methadone, while the rate of overdose deaths due to heroin have decreased locally over the past several years.
In order to facilitate action and community involvement around the issue of overdose deaths in Allegheny County, a one-day conference has been planned. The conference served as a starting point to address this important and critical issue within our community.