County sees overdoses decline in 2018 as meth use rises

DARKE COUNTY – After nearly 200 drug overdoses reported in 2017, Darke County saw the numbers decline for 2018. Though the reduction in OD calls sound encouraging to the community, law enforcement are well aware of the reason…a rise in methamphetamine use.

In 2017, fentanyl-laced heroin was to blame for the surge in overdoses in the county. The Darke County Coroner’s Office recorded 24 drug-related deaths that year alone, but reports that number was cut in half for 2018.

After a major crack down on the deadly combination, methamphetamine “meth” became the drug of choice for many local drug users.

Meth may not result in overdosing like heroin, but it has many more devastating effects for the user. Deemed one of the most addictive drugs, meth leaves its user with drastic decline in physical appearance and meth-induced psychosis after just a short time of getting high on the toxic drug.

Aside from its main ingredient, pseudoephedrine (a decongestant found in over-the-counter cold medicine), meth contains several other chemicals that are extremely toxic to the human body. From nail polish remover or paint thinner, lithium (used in batteries), toluene (found in brake fluid), red phosphorus (found on match boxes and road flares), sodium hydroxide (lye), sulfuric acid (a highly corrosive substance found in toilet cleaner) to anhydrous ammonia (used in fertilizer).

Greenville Police Department reported 79 drug-related calls in 2017, but that number rose to 95 last year. With the affects that meth has on its user, officers now find themselves in unpredictable and “bizarre” situations.

According to Chris Clark, Narcotics Detective with the Darke County Sheriff’s Office, his investigations recently have been turning up an increase in fentanyl being used without the heroin mix. This will most certainly cause another rise in overdoses since fentanyl is much more potent than heroin.

The drug war goes far beyond Darke County. Most of the American drug supply is traced back to Mexico, with the Sinaloa Cartel trafficking the deadly drugs across the US border.

Learn more about what meth use does to the mind and body at www.methproject.org or for the addict wanting to stop visit addictionhelp.today for help to find an area recovery center.

To report drug activity in your neighborhood, call the Darke County Sheriff’s Office at 937-548-2020, the Greenville Police Department at 937-548-1103 or the Darke County Crime Stoppers 24-Hour tipline at 937-547-1661.

Greenville Police Department

• 2017 (35 overdose reports)
• 2018 (29 overdose reports)

Darke County Sheriff’s Office

• 2017 (157 overdose reports)
• 2018 (106 overdose reports)

Darke County Coroner’s Office

• 2017 (24 drug-related deaths)
• 2018 (12 drug-related deaths, 2 pending)