It’s kind of morbid, but the point is to drive home a point.
Media Outlet Launches new Weekly Overdose Death Tracker
The Center Square has now been for a number of years, one of the most solid and reliable news sources online in the US, and in WA state. From politics and govt. spending to crime, drugs, and more, they tackle it across the US.
Now, they’ve launched the Washington Weekly Drug Overdose Tracker, and the stats are rather grim.
It’s based on information released by the King County Coroner, and it started at the beginning of June. You can see it by clicking here.
A Shocking Bit of Data Jumps Out at You
Probably most of us assume rampant drug use and overdose deaths most commonly occur in persons under the age of 30, perhaps skewing even younger. Granted, this sample size between Jun 8-12 is ‘only’ 13 people. But the number of older men and women who died from overdoses of lethal drugs was stunning. (A total of 37 have occurred since this report began the 1st week of June).
Of the 13 during that week, June 8-12, four were over 61 years of age. 3 others were 42, 47 and 53 years old, and 3 were 37, 37, and 39-years old.
Only 3 were under 30, their ages were 22, 28 and 29 years of age. No data was given as to why the number of victims of advanced age is so high, but increasingly we are seeing persons arrested for drug activity who are well over 50.
We will continue to monitor and update this grim reminder of our state’s drug problem.
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Gallery Credit: Andrew Lisa