Fentanyl-involved overdose deaths grow by 218% between 2019-21 in Georgia

May 16, 2022 at 6:36 p.m. | Updated May 16, 2022 at 6:36 p.m.

by Ellen Eldridge / Georgia Public Broadcasting

FILE - This Aug. 29, 2018, file photo shows an arrangement of Oxycodone pills in New York. The three biggest U.S. drug distribution companies and the drugmaker Johnson & Johnson are on the verge of a $26 billion settlement covering thousands of lawsuits over the toll of opioids across the U.S., two people with knowledge of the plans told The Associated Press. The settlement involving AmerisourceBergen, Cardinal Health and McKesson is expected this week. A $1 billion-plus deal involving the three distributors and the state of New York was planned for Tuesday, July 20, 2021. (AP Photo/Mark Lennihan, File)
FILE - This Aug. 29, 2018, file photo shows an arrangement of Oxycodone pills in New York. The three biggest U.S. drug distribution companies and the drugmaker Johnson & Johnson are on the verge of a $26 billion settlement covering thousands of lawsuits over the toll of opioids across the U.S., two people with knowledge of the plans told The Associated Press. The settlement involving AmerisourceBergen, Cardinal Health and McKesson is expected this week. A $1 billion-plus deal involving the three distributors and the state of New York was planned for Tuesday, July 20, 2021. (AP Photo/Mark Lennihan, File)

Drug overdoses were already increasing in Georgia, but the pandemic saw a meteoric rise in deaths, according to the Georgia Department of Public Health.

A major factor in the worsening opioid epidemic is fentanyl, which is several times more potent than heroin. The deadly substance can be found in all street drugs, not just painkillers.

The Georgia Bureau of Investigation found fentanyl in counterfeit Adderall and Xanax, as well as in cocaine.

"Some drug users seek fentanyl for the high and the low price," said the health department's Laura Edison, "but oftentimes drug users are not aware that they're taking fentanyl, and only one pill can kill if you have the wrong pill."

The amount of fentanyl on the streets also surged.

In 2020, the Drug Enforcement Administration seized about 3,400 fentanyl doses. Last year, that number rose to more than 70,000.

Fentanyl-related overdose deaths have spiked since the start of the pandemic, rising more than 106% between May 2020 and April 2021.

When comparing the years between 2019 and 2021 in Georgia, all drug overdose deaths increased by 56%, but fentanyl-involved overdose deaths increased by 218%, Edison said.

"That represents over 1,200 lives lost," she said.

Those dying are still predominantly white people aged 25 to 54, but the Black population is seeing a 252% spike in fentanyl overdose deaths. Whites are experiencing a 213% rise.

Many people who use drugs are not aware of the dangers of fentanyl, Edison said.

"FentanylAwarenessDay.org has some great educational resources," she said.

Additionally, Edison said the health department wants to make sure the public knows about naloxone, and the standing order that they can get it at any pharmacy.

"We need to get naloxone into more hands, and we need to make sure people know about medical amnesty," Edison said. "That they can call 911 and not be prosecuted if they or somebody they're with has been taking illicit drugs."

Fentanyl test strips are now legal in Georgia, too.

The Georgia Crisis and Access Line is available 24/7 by calling 800-715-4225.

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