Drug delivery resulting in death charges drop in PA

There was decrease in drug delivery resulting in death charges in Pennsylvania from 2023 to 2024 as well as a drop in convictions during that same time, according to state officials.

According to data released by the Administrative Office of Pennsylvania Courts, the number of charges dropped to 179 in 2024 from 210 in 2023, a 15% decrease. Convictions fell to 15 in 2024 from 48 in 2023, a 69% decrease.

The statewide statistics also show that Montgomery County had the highest percentage of drug delivery resulting in death charges from 2020 to 2024 in the southeast region.

Montgomery County had about 3% of the total 775 drug delivery resulting in death charges statewide during the five-year period.

According to the data, most of those charged statewide are male, 69%, and in the 26- to 35-age group, 40%.

The figures provided are for the following charges: drug delivery resulting In death; conspiracy — drug delivery resulting in death; criminal conspiracy engaging — drug delivery resulting in death; criminal solicitation — drug delivery resulting in death; and criminal attempt — drug delivery resulting in death.

The top 10 counties in the state:

• Monroe, 61 total charges, 7.87%

• Lancaster, 60, 7.74%

• Cumberland, 45, 5.81%

• York, 40, 5.16%

• Bucks, 38, 4.9%

• Franklin, 34, 4.39%

• Perry, 30, 3.87%

• Westmoreland, 33, 4.26%

• Washington, 26, 3.35%

• Blair, 23, 2.97%

A breakdown for counties in the southeast region and percentage of state total:

• Montgomery: 2 in 2020; 10 in 2021; 5 in 2022; 5 in 2023; 0 in 2024; total charges, 22, 2.84%

• Chester: 5 in 2020; 1 in 2021; 3 in 2022; 4 in 2023; 8 in 2024; total, 21, 2.71%

• Berks: 3 charges in 2020; 9 in 2021; 1 in 2022; 4 in 2023; 1 in 2024; total, 18, 2.32%

• Delaware: 0 in 2020; 5 in 2021; 2 in 2022; 2 in 2023; 0 in 2024; total, 9, 1.16%