COLUMBUS, Ind. — Drug overdose deaths in Bartholomew County rose last year to their highest level on record, deepening a public health crisis that local officials say is now being fueled by the pandemic and a more dangerous drug supply.
A total of 33 people in Bartholomew County died from drug overdoses in 2021 — the third consecutive year that overdose deaths increased and roughly double the number of deaths recorded in 2018, according to updated figures from the Bartholomew County Coroner’s Office.
Overall, there were 153 fatal drug overdoses in the county from 2015 to 2021, roughly one death every 16.5 days.
The increase in deaths has alarmed local officials, who say it reflects the growing prevalence of deadly fentanyl on the streets of Columbus and the “just terrible” impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on longstanding substance abuse and mental health issues in the community.
And they fear that “this is going to continue for the foreseeable future.”
“Unfortunately, I’m not surprised by (the increase in deaths),” said Dr. Kevin Terrell, medical director at Columbus Regional Health’s Treatment and Support Center, or TASC, which offers a range of outpatient treatments for substance use disorders.
“It’s at least two factors — the COVID pandemic, as well as the emergence of fentanyl as a drug of abuse within our community,” Terrell added.
For the complete story, see Saturday’s Republic.
