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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

Morning Notes: Rhode Island Wind Ensemble to kick off Touro Park Summer Concert Series – What's Up Newp

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Morning Notes: Rhode Island Wind Ensemble to kick off Touro Park Summer Concert Series – What's Up Newp


Good Morning, Newport! Today is Sunday, June 8, the 159th day of 2025. There are 206 days left in the year.

🚨 You need to know

Get ready for some outdoor music in Newport this summer. Touro Park is kicking off its free concert series today.

The Rhode Island Wind Ensemble, led by Dr. Robert Franzblau, will start things off at 5 p.m. for the Touro Park Summer Concert Series.

The two-hour show will be at the corner of Bellevue Avenue and Pelham Street.

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Our Touro Park Summer Concert Series kicks off on Sunday, June 8, with the Rhode Island Wind Ensemble, under the direction of Dr. Robert Franzblau.

The concert starts at 5:00pm and is free and open to all. Bring a blanket and have a nice picnic dinner while you enjoy a fantastic evening of music in historic Touro Park.

Stop by our tent before or after the concert and see our Mobile Museum Exhibit on music and the Old Stone Mill.

For more information and the full schedule, visit https://www.historicmusicofnewport.org/events/the-rhode-island-wind-ensemble-at-touro-park-ygx8l.

📈 Yesterday’s most-read

The following were yesterday’s most-read What’sUpNewp articles.

  1. Unwanted student ‘treasures’ help stock largest yard sale on Aquidneck Island
  2. On the Market: A look at 44 homes hosting Open Houses this weekend in Newport County (June 7 – 8)
  3. Provence sur Mer serves up elegant French-inspired hospitality 
  4. Mah Jongg tournament to raise funds for Newport Mental Health
  5. Morning Notes: Newport Police seek accreditation renewal, public input invited
  6. Newport native graduates from U.S. Naval Academy
  7. Portsmouth High School celebrates Class of 2025 graduation
  8. Tiverton High School celebrates Class of 2025 graduation
  9. Obituary: Alfaretta Massey
  10. Volpe homers and then forced from game when hit by pitch as Yankees beat Red Sox 9-6

📅 What’s Up Today

Weather Forecast

  • Today: Areas of fog before 9am. Otherwise, mostly cloudy, with a high near 69. North wind 6 to 11 mph becoming east in the afternoon.
  • Tonight: A slight chance of showers after 1am. Patchy fog between 10pm and 2am. Otherwise, mostly cloudy, with a low around 56. Northeast wind 7 to 10 mph. Chance of precipitation is 20%.

Marine Forecast

  • Today: NNE wind 5 to 10 kt becoming E in the afternoon. Areas of fog before 9am. Seas 1 ft or less.
  • Tonight: NE wind 6 to 9 kt. A slight chance of showers after 1am. Patchy fog between 10pm and 2am. Seas 1 ft or less.
  • The coastal water temperature is 58 degrees.

Sun, Moon & Tide

  • Sunrise at 5:11 am. Sunset at 8:18 pm. 15 hours & 6 minutes of sun.
  • High tide at 6:38 am & 6:59 p.m. Low tide at 12:13 am & 11:45 am.
  • The lunar phase is a Waxing Gibbous.

Things To Do

Live Music & Entertainment

Newport County Public Meetings

  • No meetings are scheduled.

Cruise Ship Schedule

Next up on the cruise ship schedule is Volendam on June 10.

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The British Motorcars of New England (BMCNE) made its annual appearance in Bristol this weekend, June 6-7.

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Teen dies in tragic building collapse at Portsmouth Graduation PartyTeen dies in tragic building collapse at Portsmouth Graduation Party

Three others seriously injured as front stairwell of Portuguese American Citizens Club gives way; 75 people were inside at the time of the incident


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Rhode Island

Take a look at the ceremony at the Rhode Island State House to showcase Portuguese culture

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Take a look at the ceremony at the Rhode Island State House to showcase Portuguese culture


The State House of Rhode Island welcomed community leaders and the general public on June 6 for a ceremony and reception aimed at showcasing Portuguese culture and the many contributions Portuguese-Americans have made to the Ocean State as part of the Day of Portugal celebration.



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Rhode Island

Rhode Island officials say Washington Bridge won’t fully reopen until November 2028 – Boston News, Weather, Sports | WHDH 7News

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Rhode Island officials say Washington Bridge won’t fully reopen until November 2028 – Boston News, Weather, Sports | WHDH 7News


PROVIDENCE, R.I. (WHDH) – Officials in Rhode Island say the Washington Bridge will not fully reopen until November 2028.

They add it will cost $427 million to complete — far more than originally anticipated.

The bridge has been closed since December 2023, when the bridge had a complete structural failure.

(Copyright (c) 2024 Sunbeam Television. All Rights Reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.)

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