Seminole County reported over a half dozen drug overdoses—half of them fatal—in 2023, according to a report from the Oklahoma Bureau of Narcotic (OBN).

In its 2024 Drug Threat Assessment released last week, the OBN said four people died and four others were treated for drug overdoses in Seminole County in 2023. Three of those deaths were attributed to methamphetamine and opioids were the cause of the other, per the report.

While none of the local overdose cases were attributed to it, fentanyl is rapidly becoming the drug that most commonly contributes to fatal over-doses in the state. Additionally, fentanyl is being seen in nearly every drug seized and many overdoses from other drugs contain fentanyl, usually unbeknownst to the victim, the report states.

“The 2024 report was based on 2023 data because we’re still waiting on autopsy reports related to last year’s deaths,” said OBN spokesperson Mark Woodward. “But it’s not going to be hard to make projections. Fentanyl overdoses continue to trend upward and are one of the biggest threats facing Oklahomans.”

According to the report fatal overdoses are also unfortunately increasing at a rapid pace. In 2023, officials reported 1,375 fatal overdoses and methamphetamine was the most common drug present at the time of death. Oklahoma has not seen a resurgence in the number of prescription drug overdoses but there has been an increase in illicit drug overdoses. Specifically, fentanyl-related overdosed increased by 40% from 2022.

The report also broke down the number of treatment admissions for Seminole County in 2023: Heroin – 10 Other Opiates and Synthetics – 41 Cocaine – 7 Marijuana or Hashish – 210 Methamphetamine – 92 “Although many efforts have been made, Oklahoma still lacks sufficient resources to effectively address substance abuse.

Often, the demand for drug treatment has exceeded the capacity of the treatment system,” the report states.

Below is the number of dispensations by drug type for Seminole County: Opioids – 16,050 Stimulants – 2,676 Sedatives – 8,224 The complete assessment is available online at obndd.ok.gov.