Carbon County drug deaths increased in 2018

Drug-related deaths in Carbon County are on the rise.

Of the 519 deaths county coroner Robert W. Miller Jr. processed last year, 36 were due to drugs. Of those, all but three were from illicit drugs.

That number is an increase of eight from last year, or a 29 percent jump.

The county also saw an increase in suicides, drownings and deaths from motor vehicle crashes.

Miller recently released his year-end report for 2018 in which he highlighted some of the more notable statistics.

• There were 54 deaths that were classified as accidental, including the aforementioned drug-related deaths.

• Nineteen deaths were classified as suicides, which is an increase of six from 2017.

• Fifteen deaths were due to crashes, almost double the eight deaths from the previous year.

• There were five drownings, up three from 2017.

• There was one death from a fire. In 2017, there were two.

• The causes of four deaths were undetermined.

• During 2018, 74 percent of the dispositions were authorized for cremation.

• During the year, there were 61 hospice cases, which are not considered coroner cases.

Miller wrote in his report that “2018 was again a challenging year and at times, resources for a sixth-class county have been pressed to the limit.

“Expenditures for autopsies and toxicology testing are again elevated.”

Miller said he was proud and fortunate to have a dedicated and experienced group of people in his office, and all deputy coroners who perform investigations are certified in mediocolegal death investigation procedures as adopted by the state Attorney General’s office.

“It is my plan this year to have a standard operation policy in place for the coroner’s office in Carbon county and to work toward getting the office accredited,” Miller wrote.

Miller concluded his report by thanking the various agencies that assisted his office throughout the year, including local police and fire departments, the state police and the EMS associations. He also thanked the District Attorney’s office, Attorney General’s office and the staff at area hospitals for their cooperation and support.