The Marion County Public Health Department (MCPHD) has recently published its first quarter report on suspected overdose deaths. This eight-page report covers data from January to March and was a collaborative effort between MCPHD and the Marion County Coroner’s Office. Funding for the study was provided by OD2A: LOCAL and grants from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.
According to the report, there were 134 suspected overdose deaths in Marion County during the first quarter of 2023, which is a 28% decrease compared to the same period in 2023. The week with the highest number of suspected overdose deaths was from February 23 to March 3, when 14 of the 134 deaths occurred.
Toxicology testing was completed on all but one of the decedents included in the study, revealing that about 76% of them had fentanyl or a fentanyl analog in their systems at the time of death.
The report also indicates that males made up 68% of suspected overdose deaths in Q1, with an average age of 44. The youngest decedent was just 17 years old, while the oldest was 75. Additionally, nearly half (44%) of overdose incidents occurred at individuals’ homes.
Of those who died from suspected overdoses in Q1, nearly two-thirds (63%) were never married and around one-sixth (16%) had been divorced at some point. Moreover, almost half (44%) of decedents had a documented history of mental health conditions such as depression, anxiety, bipolar disorder or PTSD.
The MCPHD highlighted specific zip codes within Marion County that have been most impacted by overdose deaths – seven zip codes accounted for more than half (46%) of these deaths. Zip codes 46268, 46208, and 46203 were among those hit hardest with multiple suspected overdose deaths during Q1. In fact, zip codes
