Opioid overdose deaths reach new high in Massachusetts in 2021

State well being officers say general the variety of opioid overdose deaths final 12 months was up almost 9% in comparison with 2020, reaching a brand new excessive. That is based on the newest information launched Wednesday from the state’s biannual opioid report.

The report reveals 2,290 whole confirmed and estimated opioid-related overdose deaths in Massachusetts in 2021, 185 extra deaths than 2020. Whereas Public Well being Commissioner Margret Cooke identified that Massachusetts’ enhance is considerably decrease than nationwide tendencies, with a nationwide 15% spike in overdose deaths final 12 months, the excessive demise depend worries her.

“It’s problematic for Massachusetts and our nation,” she mentioned.

In a digital assembly Wednesday, the State Public Well being Council reviewed the newest overdose information. It confirmed overdose deaths have been way more widespread amongst sure completely different demographics and geographical areas: almost three-quarters of the deaths have been males.

For the primary time, Cooke mentioned, the state is monitoring opioid deaths amongst American Indian and different Indigenous residents. Whereas the demise toll for Indigenous populations is low, their demise fee is 3 times greater than the state common — and better than some other racial or ethnic group in Massachusetts.

She mentioned some excellent news is that, to date, this 12 months’s demise toll is down 4% % in comparison with the identical interval in 2021.

Nonetheless, Lissette Blondet, govt director of the Massachusetts Affiliation of Group Well being Employees, identified that 2022 information present there are not any counties with a notable decline in deaths — and some have had vital will increase, together with Franklin, Hampshire and Middlesex.

“These are very sobering and devastating statistics,” Blondet mentioned.

In rural areas, remedy entry is harder. Blondet mentioned the state is working with geographically remoted counties to extend entry to cell remedy.

“There’s not available transportation and it is more durable to get to the providers,” she mentioned.

Blondet and officers attributed the spike in opioid overdose deaths to the pandemic and social isolation.

“As we speak’s report underscores the dangerous influence that the COVID-19 pandemic and the scourge of fentanyl have had on these scuffling with dependancy,” Gov. Charlie Baker mentioned in an announcement, “and we’re dedicated to persevering with our work with the Legislature and our colleagues within the dependancy and restoration neighborhood to spice up entry to providers and remedy.”

“We have to proceed to work and be higher at neighborhood engagement, particularly with communities of colour,” Blondet mentioned. “Stigma nonetheless performs a big half in accessing remedy.”