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Toledo health officials report drop in opioid deaths, warn prevention funding remains at risk
Summary
Toledo Lucas County Health Department described declines in opioid fatalities and outlined harm-reduction programs—including naloxone distribution, vending machines and a syringe service program—while urging continued funding and transparency for opioid settlement and state dollars.
Majh Berryman, supervisor of injury prevention at the Toledo Lucas County Health Department, told the Toledo City Council Public Safety and Criminal Justice Reform Committee on June 18 that opioid-related fatalities in Lucas County declined to 159 in 2024, a drop from 2023 and nearly 50% lower than 2020.
Berryman said the department partners with the Lucas County Coroner's Office to analyze overdose deaths and previously convened an overdose fatality review (OFR) to identify gaps in the community system of care. "While we've seen encouraging reductions in substances like cocaine, alcohol, and the illicitly made fentanyl, there are still threats that emerge every day," she said, citing emerging sedatives such as xylazine and rising stimulant-involved deaths.
The health department described several active harm-reduction efforts that it says help reduce fatalities and guide strategy. In the past year the…
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