Opioid-related overdose deaths within the Bay State spiked to an all-time excessive final 12 months, in accordance with state well being officers who cited the COVID-19 pandemic and the highly effective artificial opioid fentanyl as main components within the increased dying price.
There have been 2,290 confirmed and estimated opioid-related overdose deaths in 2021, the state Department of Public Health reported on Wednesday. That is a document excessive for one 12 months in Massachusetts, shattering the earlier peak of two,110 deaths in 2016.
The price of opioid-related overdose deaths jumped 8.8% final 12 months — with an estimated 185 extra deaths in 2021 than in 2020.
Fentanyl stays a persistent consider opioid-related overdose deaths throughout the state. Preliminary information exhibits that fentanyl was current at a price of 93% when a toxicology report was out there. The presence of fentanyl has elevated about 1% per quarter since 2016.
“Tackling the opioid epidemic remains an urgent priority for our Administration, which is why we have worked with the Legislature to quadruple funding for substance addiction treatment and prevention, but we know there is more work to do,” Gov. Charlie Baker mentioned in a press release.
“Today’s report underscores the harmful impact that the COVID-19 pandemic and the scourge of fentanyl have had on those struggling with addiction, and we are committed to continuing our work with the Legislature and our colleagues in the addiction and recovery community to boost access to services and treatment,” he added.
Last 12 months, the opioid-related overdose dying price in Massachusetts elevated to 32.6 per 100,000 individuals, in comparison with 29.9 per 100,000 individuals in 2020.
The COVID-19 pandemic has had a “profound impact on mental health” and has led to elevated substance use throughout the state, in accordance with DPH. A preliminary evaluation of DPH’s COVID-19 Community Impact Survey noticed a rise in poor psychological well being and substance use for the reason that pandemic started, particularly amongst Black, Indigenous, individuals of shade and LGBTQ+ people.
“By working to destigmatize addiction and meeting people where they’re at, including with an expanded array of harm reduction tools, we can reverse this negative trend,” Health and Human Services Secretary Marylou Sudders mentioned.
After fentanyl, cocaine continues to be the following most prevalent drug amongst opioid-related overdose deaths, current in toxicology studies at a price of 51% final 12 months. Benzodiazepines have been current in 31% of opioid-related deadly overdoses.
Alcohol, a newly reported toxicology information level, was current in 29% of opioid-related overdose deaths. This was adopted by prescription opioids in 13%, and heroin or possible heroin and amphetamines current in 10%.
Preliminary information from the primary three months of 2022 present there have been 551 confirmed and estimated opioid-related overdose deaths. That’s a 4% lower — an estimated 24 fewer deaths — than the identical time final 12 months.
Source: www.bostonherald.com”