Possible Overdose Death Under Investigation In Cleveland Heights

CLEVELAND HEIGHTS, OH — A possible overdose death occurred over the weekend in Cleveland Heights, police confirmed.

On Saturday, a 24-year-old Cleveland man was found dead in an apartment on Lancanshire Road. Cleveland Heights Police Chief Annette Mecklenburg said investigators believe the man's death was the result of an overdose.

Detectives are still investigating the man's death.

Since the onset of the COVID-19 pandemic, Ohio has seen a statewide spike in overdose deaths, particularly deaths associated with opioids. During the second quarter of 2020, Ohio's death rate from opioid overdoses jumped to 11.01 per 100,000 people — the highest rate seen in a decade. The previous 10-year high was in the first quarter of 2017, when opioid overdoses effected 10.87 people per 100,000.

The Ohio Attorney General urged Ohioans to seek medical care in the event of an overdose, despite concerns about COVID-19. He also asked Ohioans to be vigilant about how they store prescription medications.

Many opioid addictions begin at home. Yost's office released guidelines for properly storing medications, including:

• Do not share medication
• Track usage of pills to prevent pilfering
• Lock up addictive prescriptions
• Store prescriptions in a high location, to keep them out of reach of children

Get more tips on how to safely keep and dispose of prescription medications from Yost's office.