Fentanyl-related deaths on the rise in the Peach State Fentanyl-related deaths on the rise in the Peach State By James Giles | May 6, 2021 at 10:16 AM EDT - Updated May 6 at 10:16 AM COLUMBUS, Ga. (WTVM) - Data from the Georgia Department of Health shows a spike in opioid-related deaths across the Peach State and the Fountain City might be one of the newest hot spots. There’s been an opioid crisis for nearly 20 years, and data from the Georgia Department of Health suggests the pandemic hasn’t made it any better. More and more people are dying from Fentanyl overdoses. “When you look, opioid overdose deaths increased 58.3-percent,” said Cheryl Kolb, Public Health Educator with the Health Department. “Fentanyl overdose deaths increased by 160.9%. That’s 160. 1-6-0.”