GILLETTE — The variety of fentanyl-related overdose deaths has steadily elevated in Wyoming since 2017. The variety of yearly deaths fluctuated previous to that, with up and down years since 2013, in line with the Wyoming Division of Well being.
However the change has drawn the eye of the state division of well being, which launched details about the rising deaths and what to know in regards to the artificial opioid drug.
There have been 106 fentanyl overdose deaths in Wyoming in 2021. That quantity elevated from 99 deaths in 2020, 78 deaths in 2019, 65 deaths in 2018 and 62 deaths in 2017.
The quantity has been this excessive earlier than.
In 2014, there have been additionally 106 fentanyl overdose deaths, up from 96 deaths the yr earlier than, in line with the state division of well being.
“The rise over the past couple of years in overdose deaths is partially attributable to a rise in artificial opioid-involved overdose deaths,” mentioned Dr. Alexia Harrist, state well being officer and state epidemiologist, in a press launch. “In reality, between 2018 and 2021 the variety of artificial opioid-involved deadly overdoses amongst residents of our state greater than quadrupled whereas the deaths linked with most different opioids stayed comparatively secure.”
There was one fentanyl overdose loss of life in Campbell County to date this yr, mentioned Paul Wallem, Campbell County coroner. That loss of life occurred in January. There have been three different overdose deaths within the county this yr associated to meth use.
In 2021, there have been three drug overdose deaths in Campbell County, all of which concerned grownup males who overdosed on fentanyl.
Previous to that, there have been 5 overdose deaths in 2020, 4 of which have been associated to fentanyl with the opposite one associated to non-fentanyl opiate use.
There have been 4 overdose deaths in 2019, two of which have been associated to fentanyl.
The opposite two overdoses that yr have been associated to non-fentanyl opiates.
A huffing-related loss of life additionally occurred in 2021, along with the three overdoses, that are sometimes uncommon.
Fentanyl is a artifical drug usually utilized in a prescribed method by physicians to deal with sufferers with extreme ache. Nonetheless, in its illegally made type, it’s usually offered by way of drug markets and added to different medication to make them cheaper and extra highly effective.
“As a result of fentanyl is as much as 50 occasions stronger than heroin and 100 occasions stronger than morphine, it will also be extra addictive and clearly extra harmful,” Harrist mentioned.
Artificial opioid overdoses are a rising concern within the nation at massive.
“This drug is nothing wanting horrifying when used illegally,” mentioned Stefan Johansson, state division of well being director, in a press launch. “What will increase the extent of hazard is that individuals utilizing medication could be unaware {that a} artificial opioid has been added to a drug they’ve purchased or been given to make use of. They don’t know the fentanyl.”