Feb 1, 2018 3 min read

WAYNESBURG – The number of accidental drug overdose deaths in Greene County fell sharply last year, but one county official is concerned the overdose data isn’t telling the whole story about the opioid crisis.

A dozen people died of accidental drug overdoses in 2017, which is down 37 percent from the 19 people who died in that manner in 2016, according to the data shared Thursday by newly elected Greene County Coroner Gene Rush.

The data shows 10 of the accidental overdose victims were men, while two were women. One additional overdose was ruled a suicide.

Karen Bennett, the administrator for Greene County Human Services, spoke to Rush Wednesday and was surprised to learn there was a decrease in the number of deaths last year. She pointed to several local residents she knows who died in neighboring counties or Pittsburgh, so they aren’t counted in the figures.

“That seems very low to me with what I know – we watch the obituaries and know what is happening in the community – so I think that is very low,” Bennett said. “But I don’t have anything to base that on.”

Rush and Martin Yoskovich, his deputy coroner, earlier this month compiled the 2017 report using information from former coroner Gregory Rohanna, while also closing nine pending cases. Rush said he is working to create more statistical information on the overdose deaths that will include ages of the victims, dates of the deaths and the type of drugs involved.

“I’m going to be as open as I can,” Rush said. “Not just that it’s a drug death, but what kind of drugs. As we know, heroin and fentanyl go hand in hand. There’s no reason to hide that stuff. The public has a right to know.”

The 19 accidental drug overdose deaths in 2016 put Greene County at the center of the overdose epidemic with 51.2 victims per 100,000 residents, one of the highest rates in the state and similar to Washington County’s total, which dipped slightly last year. There were 14 such deaths in 2015 in Greene County and 10 in 2014.

The Observer-Reporter in July filed a lawsuit against Rohanna seeking access to the 2015 and 2016 coroner’s report to uncover more-detailed information about the overdose epidemic. That suit for those reports is still being litigated in Greene County Court.

Bennett said compiling that information and sharing it among local agencies and organizations is critical to solving the opioid problem. She pointed to the recently expanded Greene County Opioid Task Force that is now being opened up to more community leaders and will meet for the first time later this month.

“What does the picture look like, and what can we do about it? That’s what we want to know,” Bennett said. “EMS numbers are important, and the coroner already said he wants to be transparent. He wants to get in discussions and pursue prevention. That will come out of everyone working together.

“As we move along and analyze these numbers, I’m sure we’ll have better answers and solutions,” she added.

Rush, who is a member of that task force, said he is looking forward to offering more statistical evidence about overdose deaths to help the group.

“Whatever I can do or however I can help,” Rush said.