Stark County has had nine suspected drug overdose deaths over the last two weeks.
The county Health Department issued an alert about the rash of cases. Officials said it could take weeks for toxicology tests to determine which drug(s) are behind the jump in deaths between from Jan. 18 to Feb. 1.
Michelle L. Schoonover, drug overdose coordinator, said the deaths are cause for concern particularly because they happened over 14 days. It is an increase from what we ve seen.
The demographic of the recent suspect overdose victims, according to the county health department, are:
8 males/1 female
1 was between 25 and 34
2 were 15-25