2017 – New Orleans in Review:

494 People Dead Due to Opioid Overdoses

“NEW ORLEANS, LA (WVUE) – In the past year, 494 people died of an opioid overdose in the metro area. [Associate Special Agent-In-Charge Craig Wiles] says the addiction is a brain disease that must be addressed.
‘That’s 41 deaths a month. We can do something about it in this small community we live in. It can start with something as simple as a conversation,’ says Wiles. Wiles says education is key, and no one should be afraid to talk to their children about the importance of avoiding drugs.

(The Whole News Article)