This summer I had the opportunity to work at the Allen County Department of Health (ACDOH). In
addition to working with ACDOH Vital Records division, I was also able to work alongside the Allen
County Coroner’s office to gather and analyze data regarding individuals who died as a result of a drug
overdose. My duties consisted of reading through death reports, compiling hospital records and
toxicology screens in order to analyze data for 2022, put together a report, and present to the ACDOH
and relative community partners.

The study looked at the different types of drugs found in the decedent
systems as identified by toxicology screenings and hospital reports, the demographics of the decedents
and a breakdown of the frequency of drugs and how often they are present. I found that since 2008,
Fentanyl had a 280 percent increase and is the most commonly found drug in the systems of those that die
from overdose. I also found that 76 percent of the overdoses in Allen County came from males which was at an
elevated rate from what could be predicted as a population in Allen County. The study also showed that
there was an elevated rate specifically for the 25-44 age range which consisted of 52 percent of the overdoses. I
also assisted Trescott Duffy, another Wabash intern at the ACDOH, in compiling and classifying data
regarding fetal and infant deaths that occurred in Allen County, Indiana between 2013 and 2022. I also
learned that 76 percent of drug overdoses occur from people who are contributing members of society and are
employed.

Finally, I would like to thank Jana Saunders for giving me the opportunity to work for the
Health Department and all the guidance she has provided me with. I would also like to thank Michael
Burris and his team at the Allen County Coroner’s Office for their cooperation and support for providing
me with records and reports. Finally, I would like to thank Kristi Gephart and her team at the Records
Division for assisting me in pulling records and obtaining all the required information in order to
complete my study