Drug Overdoses in Chester County Pennsylvania
It is a harsh reality, but drug overdoses have increased nationwide since late 2022 and now into 2023. Unfortunately, the state of Pennsylvania has not been immune to this scourge.
The overdoses have led to an increase in deaths. According to the NCDAS (National Center for Drug Abuse Statistics, over 96,000 deaths occurred already in 2023 nationwide.
The overdoses have occurred because of illegal drugs but also because of prescription drug usage. Fentanyl has caused most deaths illegally, while prescription opioids caused most “legal overdoses.”
This is compounded by the fact that the overdoses are occurring most frequently in a younger population now—those 18 to 45 years old.
Why Are Drug Overdoses Occurring?
There are many reasons for this frightening trend. Pennsylvania is seeing its share of this, unfortunately. The reasons are many.
- Covid 19 lockdowns
Isolation occurred, and Pennsylvania experienced an extended period of serious lockdown. The lockdowns caused depression for many. Depression can lead to self-medication through illegal drugs or alcohol.
- Job loss
As lockdowns occurred, many businesses were forced into bankruptcy and shut down in PA. Job loss brings financial burdens, which again leads to depression and self-medication.
- An upsurge in surgeries
Many surgeries were deemed “non-essential” during lockdowns in PA. This has led to an increase in these in 2023. Doctors, while well-meaning, do prescribe opioids to relieve the pain, although these are regulated.
Patients may very well be using other drugs that will lead to opioid interaction and cause death and do not always explain to their doctors what they are taking. Sedatives such as benzodiazepines and alcohol have a sedative effect and can interfere with breathing.
- Doctors and hospitals are overwhelmed.
Doctors must religiously screen before any surgeries for any prior drug or alcohol use, or this can easily turn into a medical negligence case. Unfortunately, doctors and hospitals in PA are showing a staffing shortage, and “haste” can have dire consequences.
A “Duty of Care” still exists, however, and hospitals and doctors must not shift from this duty or face medical malpractice claims.
- Misdiagnoses by doctors and hospitals
Since many younger people do not have strokes, when they have one, doctors can start treating a younger person for a drug overdose. This is not always the case, however, and strokes get misdiagnosed routinely as drug overdoses in the young.
According to Neurology Today, at least 10 percent of strokes are misdiagnosed in the young. This also applies to brain and head injury traumas which cause slurred speech and lack of coordination. Drugs and alcohol show the same symptoms, unfortunately, and can mislead emergency room personnel.
Steps to be Taken if a Drug Overdose Death Occurs
Anyone who loses a family member to a drug overdose experiences great pain. The loss is usually unexpected and should be investigated.
- An attorney should be contacted immediately.
Any minor exclusions by police, paramedics, hospitals, or doctors need to be determined by a legal team with the resources to ensure a full investigation.
Christian J. Hoey, ESQ, and his team of extraordinary researchers and world-class experts from all fields of crime investigation and medical malpractice will dive into the causes of any drug death from overdose in PA.
- A coroner should also be contacted.
An autopsy will probably be needed, and all medical records will be acquired by a competent attorney such as Christian J. Hoey.
There may or may not be cause for a medical negligence case, but not following up on a drug overdose death or even brain trauma from an overdose will cause a lifetime of uncertainty.
Summary—Drug Overdoses in PA in 2023
The problem of drug overdose death and brain injuries does not seem to subside in PA. Hoey Legal has years of experience being located in Paoli, PA, and serving a large swath of counties in PA.
The only way to effectively curb the overdoses is public action and awareness. Hoey Legal stands ready to assist any individual or family affected by the drug overdose and death epidemic. There is a free and private first-time consultation using Hoey Legal.
The CDC has declared drug overdose and death an epidemic, and it truly is. Pennsylvania is not immune to this epidemic, and individuals need assistance in overcoming the guilt, shame, medical expenses, and of course, finding the causes of the drug overdose/death. Compensation can be the only way to bring closure to any drug death or disability.
For more information on all our law services, visit us at HoeyLegal.com or call us at (610) 647-5151.