Scientists study drug users’ needles in effort to save lives [Video]

CUYAHOGA COUNTY, Ohio — Drug overdose deaths are declining but they are still the leading cause of accidental deaths in Cuyahoga County and across the United States. 

Now a new program at the Cuyahoga County Medical Examiner’s office is helping scientists gain new insight into the epidemic that could help save lives.

“One of the reasons we have made progress is because we’re studying the problem,” Medical Examiner Dr. Thomas Gilson said.

Gilson said the program involves expanding drug testing at the Cuyahoga County Regional Forensic Science Lab to include used syringes from current drug users, a population that he says is “very very hard to study.”

“I’d like to say there’s a simple answer but that’s the whole reason to do this kind of research because the different things you can learn will suggest different interventions to save people’s lives,” …