Mass. opioid deaths nearing new record high, disproportionately impacting minorities
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Prescription opioids
On Wednesday, the Massachusetts Department of Public Health released new data on opioid deaths and statistics for the first nine months of 2021.
As of November 2021, there were 1,613 opioid-related overdose deaths resulting in a 1% increase statewide compared to the first nine months of 2020. Last year set a new record for opioid overdose deaths, with 2,035.
Black non-Hispanic men made up the largest group impacted by opioid-related deaths at 63%, which underscores the importance of equity, according to the DPH press release.
Males comprised 73% of all opioid-related overdose deaths occurring in 2020, per the DPH data.
Fentanyl remains the main driver in the opioid epidemic as the drug was present in 92% of reported deaths. While fentanyl use continues to increase, heroin use and benzodiazepine use is slowly declining.
“The COVID-19 pandemic has exacerbated substance misuse not only in Massachusetts, but across the country. Our administration has continued to tackle both the opioid epidemic and the COVID-19 pandemic with a focus on equity,” said Gov. Charlie Baker in the DPH press release.
The city of Worcester experienced a notable rise in opioid-related overdose deaths among its residents during 2019 to 2020. The most up-to-date figures as deaths are still being confirmed for the 2021 totals.
In 2020, the City of Worcester lost 103 residents to opioid related overdoses, an increase compared to the prior year’s figure of 81 residents, per the DPH numbers.
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