DRUG OVERDOSES UP ACROSS DENVER

Photo: DEA

 Drugs seized in Denver area on display

Non-fatal drug overdoses are up across the Denver - particularly fentanyl and polysubstance - and officials are expanding prevention efforts, the city's Department of Public Health & Environment said.

Denver's medical examiner is also investigating "numerous fatalities" suspected to be possible overdoses, the pubic health department said.

Toxicological results are pending and "it’s too early to use medical examiner data to indicate a trend in fatal overdoses," the department said.

In what may be a related development, Denver police have reported a number of what are described as outdoor deaths of late.

The public health department said it is working "to ensure people who use drugs have access to life-saving resources, including naloxone, fentanyl test strips, and treatment options."

Officials have distributed more than 60,000 doses of naloxone and close to 70,000 fentanyl test strips citywide over the past three years.