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Hundreds of Rhode Islanders died of overdoses last year. Here’s a look at the numbers.

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Hundreds of Rhode Islanders died of overdoses last year. Here’s a look at the numbers.



Which RI city had the highest rate of fatal overdoses? Did more men or women die? A closer look at RI Health Department data.

PROVIDENCE – Gov. Dan McKee shared good news Wednesday when he announced Rhode Island’s 7% decrease last year in accidental overdoses, but he acknowledged that the state has “a lot more work to do” in addressing its overdose “epidemic.”

The number of people in Rhode Island who died from overdoses fell in 2023 for the first time in four years, but still, overdoses claimed 404 lives here last year.

Here’s a look at some of the data the Rhode Island Department of Health released in conjunction with Wednesday’s announcement by McKee and the Governor’s Overdose Task Force.

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The overdose epidemic in Rhode Island, by the numbers

  • Most people who died from a drug overdose were male, 69%. 
  • Most overdoses were among Rhode Islanders ages 24 to 55. Rhode Islanders ages 35 to 44 saw the greatest increase in overdose deaths, 73.9 per 100,000.  
  • In 2023, the rate of fatal overdoses decreased by 11% among Black (non-Hispanic) and 15% among Hispanic or Latino Rhode Islanders. The rate among white (non-Hispanic) Rhode Islanders remained similar to previous years. But the overdose rate among Black (non-Hispanic) Rhode Islanders remains higher than that of white Rhode Islanders. 
  • Woonsocket had the highest rate of fatal overdoses, with 67.4 overdose deaths per 100,000 people. It was followed by Providence, 53.3 per 100,000; Pawtucket, 46.6 per 100,000; East Providence, 31.9 per 100,000; Cranston, 31.5 per 100,000; and Warwick, 24.1 per 100,000.
  • Eight in 10 overdose deaths happened in private settings.
  • Opioids and fentanyl are still driving the overdose epidemic in Rhode Island, the Health Department said. In 2023, 85% of overdoses involved any opioid, including fentanyl, while 78% involved fentanyl.
  • 58% percent of the fatal overdoses involved cocaine. In those cases, the department said, it’s unclear whether the overdose victim knew they were using more than one substance.
  • This was the first decrease in overdose deaths since 2018-2019. In 2018, 314 people died of overdose deaths, and the number fell to 308 in 2019. 
  • The state Department of Health’s website shows that more than 400 people have died from overdoses in each of the last three years, 404 in 2023, 436 in 2022 and 435 in 2021.
  • 3,471 people have died from overdoses in the 10 years between 2014 and 2023, according to figures on the website.
  • 66 overdose deaths have been recorded so far this year, but it can take months to confirm overdose deaths because of the complex toxicology tests often required, the Health Department says.



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Rhode Island

St. Patrick’s Day 2026: Your Guide To Fun In Rhode Island

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St. Patrick’s Day 2026: Your Guide To Fun In Rhode Island


Rhode Islanders who plan to join in the global celebration of Irish culture can choose from big and small events, including a parade in Providence.

The March 17 holiday falls on a Tuesday this year, and many big events will be held the weekend of March 14-15. Originally a modest, religious feast day honoring the patron saint of Ireland, St. Patrick’s Day today is a vibrant, boisterous holiday observed by millions of people regardless of their heritage.

The Providence parade is March 21.

We’ve rounded up 10 more events to help you celebrate St. Patrick’s Day. But first, are you planning an event this spring? Feature it, so nearby readers see it all across Patch — including in roundups like this!

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Here’s your guide to St. Patrick’s Day fun in Rhode Island:





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Married couple from R.I. identified as victims in fatal Swansea crash

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Married couple from R.I. identified as victims in fatal Swansea crash


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The two victims were identified as a husband and wife from Rhode Island, local officials said.

A Rhode Island husband and wife in their 50s were identified as the two people killed in a Swansea car crash Friday night.

Carlolyn Carcasi, 54, and James Carcasi, 53, of Bristol, Rhode Island, were killed in the Feb. 27 crash, the office of Bristol County District Attorney Thomas Quinn said in a press release Monday.

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The crash occurred at the intersection of Route 136 and Route 6 in Swansea, Quinn’s office said.

Police in Cranston, Rhode Island identified the driver who allegedly hit the couple as Demitri Sousa, 28. Sousa allegedly shot and killed a man in Rhode Island nearly four hours before the crash, Cranston police said.

At around 12:18 a.m. Friday, Swansea police spotted Sousa’s Infiniti barreling down Route 6, Swansea officials said previously.

The couple was driving southbound on Route 136 when the Sousa crashed into the side of a Subaru Ascent. Both cars had “catastrophic damage,” and the Subaru was engulfed in flames, Swansea fire and police officials said. 

Both occupants of the Subaru were declared dead at the scene, Swansea officials said.

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Sousa was transported to a local hospital, where he is being treated for serious injuries. He is expected to live and will be held in Cranston police custody until he is medically cleared, police said Sunday.

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Women’s Fund of Rhode Island, leaders celebrate Women’s History Month with panel event

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Women’s Fund of Rhode Island, leaders celebrate Women’s History Month with panel event


Women’s Fund of Rhode Island and U.S. Sen. Jack Reed celebrated Women’s History Month in Cranston with a panel discussion on Monday.

The event was held at the Cranston Public Library at 9 a.m.

Reed and other leaders of WFRI hosted a panel discussion with women leaders in environmental and agricultural advocacy, education, community resilience, housing, finance, workforce development, and more, officials said.

Women’s Fund of Rhode Island and U.S. Sen. Jack Reed celebrated Women’s History Month in Cranston with a panel discussion on Monday. (WJAR)

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“Women have played a critical role in this process, most often without any recognition,” Reed said. “Today’s panel brings together an extraordinary group of women who are addressing the challenged of sustainability from various angles and I want to thank you all for your great efforts.”

The panelists highlighted their experiences, shared insights and tips on lifting up women’s voices, provided strategies for sparking change and more.

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According to officials, some of the panelists included Executive Director of the Rhode Island Food Policy Council Nessa Richman, Executive Director of Strategic Initiatives at Rhode Island College Kim Bright, Newport Housing Authority Executive Director Rhonda Mitchell and more.

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