Investigation finds Nebraska is likely under-reporting overdose deaths, costing it prevention money

Investigation finds Nebraska is likely under-reporting overdose deaths, costing it prevention money

An investigation by the Flatwater Free Press found that the state of Nebraska is likely under-counting the number of overdose deaths, costing it millions of dollars in drug treatment funding.

Nebraska undercounts drug overdose deaths, costing state millions in federal funding

When Derrek Cocchiarella died, officials called it 'natural causes.' The truth: fentanyl overdose. Nebraska is missing hundreds of similar deaths and is losing million in federal aid because of it.

Investigation Finds Nebraska Is Likely Under-Reporting Overdose Deaths, Costing It Prevention Money

Derrek Cocchiarella died slowly, lying in his mother’s bed on a warm afternoon in late June, in a house full of family.

We don’t know the real number of Nebraskans dying from drugs. It’s costing us. - Flatwater Free Press

Every year, Nebraska undercounts overdoses, say state officials, public health experts, on-the-ground treatment workers and a new Flatwater Free Press analysis. Laws and money are impacted. And lives hang in the balance.