Drug overdoses on the rise according to police data

WEST PALM BEACH, Fla. (CBS12) — West Palm Beach Police say fentanyl use is a growing concern in the city.

Statistics provided by West Palm Beach Police show the number of drug overdoses have more than doubled since 2019. And they say Fentanyl is contributing to the situation.

Statistics from WPB Police show the problem.

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In 2018, there were 307 drug overdoses and 22 fatal overdoses.

In 2019, there were 181 drug overdoses, and 26 fatal overdoses.

In 2020, there were 351 overdoses and 42 deaths.

And in 2021, there were 337 overdoses and 29 fatal overdoses.

One homeowner in the city's north end is concerned about drug activity and recent shootings.

"These guys across the street, they're absolutely looney-tunes," said Timothy Okey, a West Palm Beach resident.

Okey, 81, who's a Vietnam veteran and a grandfather, just bought a home on 55th Street near Broadway Avenue four months ago.

He says shootings are happening often in the area, especially on 55th Street west of Broadway in the city's north end.

"You know, they want to shoot each other, knock yourself out. But for crying out loud don't be shootin' down a thoroughfare endangering the public two, three blocks away," he said.

One drug treatment expert says fentanyl is a powerful synthetic drug, and very addictive.

"It is definitely a growing problem," said Nashida Baker, a primary therapist at Retreat Behavioral Health in Palm Springs.

"Probably out of 200 patients that I've seen over the last two years, I would say 40% of those patients have died. And these were all fentanyl cases? Yup," she said.

We reached out to West Palm Beach Police to ask what they're doing to curb drug activity and violence. We were told the Deputy Police Chief will speak with CBS12 News on Wednesday.