Deaths of transients in Orange County have steadily climbed over the last decade, with drug overdoses accounting for much of the increase, according to a report released today by a committee organized by Sheriff Don Barnes.
The inaugural Homeless Death Review Committee report showed 103
transients died in 2012, compared with 395 in 2021. The leading cause of deaths is classified as accidental, with most of those drug-related. Barnes said
fentanyl has shown itself to be the most deadly drug in the increase.
"The rise in the number of deaths of people experiencing homelessness
is concerning,'" Barnes said. "Most troubling is the significant increase
we are seeing in fentanyl-related deaths."
Barnes also said "the rates of suicide and homicide among individuals in this population are significantly higher than national averages. What this demonstrates is people experiencing homelessness are subject to higher rates of crime and suicide. Mental illness among people experiencing homelessness may be a contributing factor to suicides."
The committee included experts from the Orange County Coroner's Office, which is part of Barnes' department, the Orange County Office of Care Coordination, the Orange County Health Care Agency, the Hospital Association of Southern California, the Orange County Medical Association, and CalOptima Health.