The number of accidental drug overdose deaths in Vermilion County is continuing to rise. Vermilion County Coroner Jane McFadden says her office has handled seven such cases since December first, and is investigating a possible eighth case.
McFadden says she does not think any of the victims were intentionally trying to kill themselves. ‘’I think they just wanted to get high,’’ she says. And the Coroner added that ‘’when you put something into your body and have no idea what it is – that’s kind of scary.’’
Many people think such victims are usually young, but in the seven confirmed cases since December 1st, only one of the drug overdose victims was in their twenties. ‘’Most are in the middle of their life,’’ said McFadden. She says the Vermilion County drug overdose fatalities since December 1st ranged in age from 23 to nearly 70.
According to the Coroner, two of the victims died from an overdose of methamphetamines. Two others succumbed to overdoses of heroin. And three of the victims since December 1st died from a combination of mostly cocaine, heroin and meth. Officially their deaths are from what is called poly-substance toxicity.
‘’It’s sad,’’ says the Coroner. But she adds, ‘’some have been drug abusers for years, unfortunately.’’ And while Coroner McFadden notes accidental drug overdose deaths are nothing new to her office – they are tragic.
