Opioid-related Overdose Deaths Continue to Decline in Massachusetts

BOSTON — Opioid-related overdose deaths in Massachusetts continue to decline, falling an estimated 6% in the first nine months of 2019 compared to the first nine months of 2018, according to preliminary data released by the Massachusetts Department of Public Health (DPH).

Between January and September of 2019, there were 1,460 confirmed and estimated opioid-related overdose deaths in Massachusetts, 99 fewer than the 1,559 confirmed and estimated opioid-related overdose deaths in the first nine months of 2018, the quarterly opioid report shows.

The decline in opioid-related overdose deaths is occurring despite the continued presence of the deadly synthetic opioid fentanyl, which has risen to an all-time high. In the first six months of 2019, fentanyl was present in 93% of opioid-related overdose deaths where there was a toxicology screen, up from 89% of opioid-related overdose deaths where there was a toxicology screen in 2018.

“Today’s report affirms that our multi-pronged approach to the opioid epidemic is making a difference,” Gov. Charlie Baker said. “Although we’ve made progress, we must continue to focus our law-enforcement efforts on getting fentanyl off of our streets and out of our neighborhoods.”

Added Lt. Gov. Karyn Polito, “behind these quarterly data are real people and families in communities across the state whose lives are impacted by addiction. We remain invested in proven strategies across the spectrum of prevention, intervention, treatment, and recovery to help individuals struggling with addiction and support local community efforts.”

The report found that the rate of heroin or likely heroin present in opioid-related overdose deaths has been declining since 2014, while the percentage of opioid-related overdose deaths where prescription drugs were present has remained stable since 2017. In the second quarter of 2019, approximately 13% of opioid-related overdose deaths had prescription opioids present in a toxicology screen.

“By continuing to expand behavioral-health access and provide additional resources for high-risk communities and for the highest-risk individuals, we will make steady progress,” said Health and Human Services Secretary Marylou Sudders.