Despite a dip in overdose deaths in 2021, Butler County may see increasing drug issues in 2022.

Det. Tim Fennell, chief of the Butler County Drug Task Force, said he sees troubling signs on the horizon with the number of overdose deaths escalating so far this year.

In 2021, 66 Butler County residents died from drug overdoses, seven fewer than the number of residents who died from overdoses in 2020. Less than three months into this year, the county has already confirmed more than 25 percent of last year’s total.

As of mid-March, 17 deaths were confirmed to be from drug overdoses, with two that were pending.

“It’s never going to be enough until the number is zero,” said Donna Jenereski, director of the county’s drug and alcohol programs.

Jenereski said a lot contributed to the decreases seen in 2021. The county’s programs provide education for the community and Narcan for treatment providers and residents, as well as support for providers, who, Jenereski said, overachieved expectations during the COVID-19 pandemic.

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