Opioid-related Overdose Deaths Decline for Second Straight Year

BOSTON — Opioid-related overdose deaths in Massachusetts declined by 4{06cf2b9696b159f874511d23dbc893eb1ac83014175ed30550cfff22781411e5} in 2018 compared to 2017, marking the second consecutive year-over-year decrease in deaths, according to the latest quarterly opioid-related overdose deaths report released by the Massachusetts Department of Public Health. That 4{06cf2b9696b159f874511d23dbc893eb1ac83014175ed30550cfff22781411e5} decline follows a 2{06cf2b9696b159f874511d23dbc893eb1ac83014175ed30550cfff22781411e5} decrease in opioid-related overdose deaths between 2016 and 2017.

Fentanyl, however, remained a key factor in opioid-related overdose deaths; it was present in the toxicology of 89{06cf2b9696b159f874511d23dbc893eb1ac83014175ed30550cfff22781411e5} of those who died of an opioid-related overdose and had a toxicology screen in the third quarter of 2018. Meanwhile, the rate of heroin or likely heroin present has been declining since 2016, falling to about 34{06cf2b9696b159f874511d23dbc893eb1ac83014175ed30550cfff22781411e5} of opioid-related overdose deaths that had a toxicology screen in the third quarter of 2018.

“While we are encouraged to see fewer opioid-related overdose deaths for a second consecutive year and a 35{06cf2b9696b159f874511d23dbc893eb1ac83014175ed30550cfff22781411e5} decrease in reported opioid prescriptions since 2015, the opioid epidemic continues to present a very serious challenge that is made more difficult due to the presence of fentanyl,” said Gov. Charlie Baker. “We look forward to working with our colleagues in the Legislature to continue ramping up the Commonwealth’s funding for prevention, intervention, treatment, and recovery services in the FY20 budget, in addition to the administration’s proposal to strengthen the hand of law enforcement by providing $5 million to support a new Regional Fentanyl Interdiction Task Force.”

In 2018, preliminary estimates showed 1,974 confirmed and estimated opioid-related overdose deaths, or 82 fewer deaths than the 2,056 confirmed and estimated deaths in 2017. There were 2,099 confirmed deaths in 2016. 

“The decrease in overdose deaths provides some hope that our approach to combating the opioid epidemic is having an impact,” said Health and Human Services Secretary Marylou Sudders. “We must maintain an intense focus on this crisis and continue to expand opportunities to increase harm-reduction initiatives and expand treatment and recovery services.”

While the report showed an overall decline in opioid-related overdose deaths, non-Hispanic black males experienced a 45{06cf2b9696b159f874511d23dbc893eb1ac83014175ed30550cfff22781411e5} increase from 2016 to 2017 in the opioid-related overdose death rate.

“The opioid epidemic does not discriminate by race or ethnicity or by geographic region. Individuals and families of every race and in every part of the state have been impacted,’’ said Public Health Commissioner Dr. Monica Bharel. “Our data analysis is critical to addressing the opioid epidemic, and it points us in the direction where we need to go in terms of focusing our education, outreach, and prevention efforts.”