Westmoreland County overdose deaths drop to lowest level in more than a decade

Drug overdose deaths in West­moreland County plummeted last year to their lowest level in more than a decade, according to a report from Coroner John Ackerman.

The data revealed 72 people died from drug overdoses in the county last year, continuing a four-year decline that officials said indicates education and preventive measures are yielding tangible results.

“Some of this is attributable to what we’ve been doing in prevention,” said Tim Philips, director of community relations and prevention for the Westmoreland County Department of Human Services. Those efforts include multiple programs to distribute fentanyl test strips and the overdose-reversal drug Narcan, alongside educational campaigns to promote rehabilitation and treatment services.