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Pennsylvania overdose epidemic getting worse

HARRISBURG, Pa. – According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, the United States is in the middle of an overdose epidemic, and in Pennsylv...

HARRISBURG, Pa. – According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, the United States is in the middle of an overdose epidemic, and in Pennsylvania, the crisis is getting worse.

Rep. Ron Marsico (R-Dauphin) announced the findings Wednesday afternoon. According to a report from the non-profit Pennsylvania Coroners' Association, at least 2,489  people died in the state as a result of drug overdoses last year, which is an increase of about 20 percent from 2013. County coroners and medical examiners reported that most of those deaths were cause by heroin and prescription painkillers.

To read a summary the report, click here.

York was among the five counties that reported 100 or more overdose deaths. Lancaster and Dauphin counties reported more than 50 deaths, while Cumberland County reported 35.

The report found that the age of those who died ranges from four months to 85 years of age, and the slight majority of the deaths were found in the age group 41-50 years old. Statewide, drug-related deaths were also found to happen throughout the year with a slight increase in May, and generally happened on the weekends and Wednesdays.

 

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