CDC finds more overdoses involve fentanyl, mirroring local epidemic numbers

LA CROSSE, Wis. (WKBT) – Fentanyl is now the leading cause of unintentional overdoses across the country, according to a new study. The report released by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention also found a dramatic increase in drug overdose deaths. 

The report found the number of drug overdose deaths per year has increased by 54 percent. In 2011, there were 41,340 deaths compared to 63,632 overdose deaths in 2016. The study also found in 2016, 29 percent of all drug overdose deaths involved fentanyl.

Local experts say they have seen this same trend in our area but work is being done to combat the problem. Dr. Chris Eberlein with the Alliance to Heal said the number of overdoses from the CDC mirror local statistics. He said there are also more overdoses happening from people using a mix of substances. 

“Whether it be fentanyl, heroin and then cocaine combinations that we’re seeing more prevalently locally as well as nationwide,” said Eberlein, an emergency medicine physician with Gundersen Health System.

First responders with Tri-State Ambulance get a report of a suspected overdose every few weeks. Over the past six months, they’ve had 95 documented uses of Narcan, which has gone up compared to the same time last year.

“It’s up, but that’s documented uses of Narcan so that could be more than one use on one patient,” said Kent Stein, operations manager for Tri-State Ambulance. 

They don’t always know what may have caused the overdose unless they see something at the scene, like a prescription bottle. 

“If naloxone or Narcan works, we know it is an opioid,” Stein said.

But Tri-State Ambulance, like other area agencies, are not just treating the overdose once it happens. They’re also focusing efforts on prevention. 

“We have alternative medications we can give that isn’t opioid-based to help deal with the pain,” said Stein, referring to the essential oils they can give to patients. 

Eberlein says the Alliance to Heal, formerly known as the Heroin and Other Illicit Drug Task Force, continues to educate providers about reducing the flow of narcotic prescriptions into the community.  

“Eighty percent of our heroin injector addicts started with prescription pills. So if we can eliminate that first step, we can really make a big impact in this problem,” Eberlein said. 

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