A new report – the first of its kind in Pennsylvania – which looked at drug overdose totals for 62 counties, highlights the problem of prescription drug and heroin abuse. “What’s most notable about this report is the amount of overdose deaths that are attributable to prescription drugs and heroin,” said Drug Enforcement Agency Special Agent Patrick Trainor. “That’s where you’re seeing the most significant numbers.” The report lists 2,497 drug overdose deaths last year in the 62 counties that reported to the DEA. Five counties did not report overdose numbers. In Allegheny County, a total 307 overdose deaths were reported. Of that, 191 were caused by heroin, 75 by cocaine and one by methamphetamine, according to Trainor. The uptick in heroin use, a trend reflected nationwide, is caused in part by prescription drug use, said Trainor. He explained opioid drugs, used as painkillers, can become addicting to its users. These drugs are expensive, costing upwards of $50 per pill. Whereas
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