Editorial: Westmoreland overdose deaths show changing numbers, familiar problem

Accidental overdose fatalities are down in Westmoreland County.

On Thursday, Coroner Tim Carson released the data for deaths in 2023. The news overall is good.

The number of people who died due to accidentally ingesting too many drugs fell from 118 to just 95. That’s an almost 20% drop, and that is such a positive turn.

The drugs we are used to seeing as the boogeymen in these cases are all falling. According to Carson’s report, heroin is down 50%, accounting for just three deaths. Fentanyl is down 22% but still leading the pack. Cocaine, methamphetamine, prescription opioids are all down.

The bad news is the new kid on the block whose numbers are on the rise.

Xylazine is a veterinary sedative. For animals in the care of a qualified professional, that is fine. In the hands of a drug dealer or someone suffering from addiction, it is as dangerous as a gun.

In 2022, 31 people died due to overdosing on xylazine, also called tranq. In 2023, the numbers increased 42%, with 44 people dead.

Why are the opioids down? Why is xylazine on the rise?

One reason is Narcan.

The medication has become standard issue for many who battle addiction or regularly take opioids. In case of overdose, it can counteract the reactions that depress the system and end in death. For those dealing with heroin, fentanyl and prescription drugs, it is literally a lifesaver.

Xylazine isn’t affected by Narcan.

There are also test strips to detect the presence of fentanyl and xylazine to mitigate the risk. Many people who end up ingesting the drugs did not do so deliberately. Both are cheap and potent ways to augment more expensive substances.

The falling number of deaths show that Narcan and test strips can save lives. The rise of xylazine deaths just proves fighting addiction is more complicated than that. Narcan and test strips are critical tools, but they are bandages slapped on bone-deep wounds.

The problem with measuring the addiction epidemic in terms of deaths is that the numbers can be misleading. Just because fewer people are dying doesn’t mean fewer people are addicted. The graph of xylazine versus fentanyl deaths shows that.