Fentanyl is the cause of the drastic rise of drug-related deaths in the county from 47 in 2019 to 151 last year, Coroner Gary Warnock said at a meeting with the Board of County Commissioners (BoCC) yesterday.
Last year, there were 2,866 deaths, with 433 deaths investigated and 151 drug-related deaths. Total autopsy costs were $585,600.
“Down in 2019, we had 47, and then from 47, all the way up to this year or even to complete last year, you'll see the rise, and that's just basically fentanyl. I would say 90% fentanyl-related,” said Warnock.
According to the National Institute on Drug Abuse, fentanyl is a powerful synthetic opioid that is similar to morphine but is 50 to 100 times more potent.
The Thurston County Opioid Response Task Force is currently active, which aims to address the opioid epidemic. The team follows the Thurston County Opioid Response Plan 2024.
This year, there are 1,724 deaths, with 270 deaths investigated and 79 suspected drug-related deaths to date. The total running cost of an autopsy now amounts to $365,900.
In 2022, there were 3,145 deaths, with 475 deaths investigated and 156 drug-related deaths; Autopsy costs totaled $514,800.
In 2021, there were 3,069 deaths, with 451 deaths investigated and 112 drug-related deaths; Autopsy costs totaled $393,800.
In 2020, there were 2,553 deaths, with 338 deaths investigated and 56 drug-related deaths. Autopsy costs totaled $223,200.
In 2019, there were 2,553 deaths, with 318 deaths investigated and 47 drug-related deaths. Autopsy costs totaled $187,800.
TCCO is working on a proposal to enter into a contract with a forensic pathologist to save the county around $150,00 annually instead of paying the full cost per case.
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Olywelcomesall
Please edit the caption describing who is in the picture. Lead Deputy Coroner/ Investigator Traci McCullah is on the LEFT. Coroner Gary Warnock RIGHT
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