Rhode Island
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.
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.
The Rhode Island Blood Center is asking for donations after the fatal shooting at Brown University on Saturday.
Several donor centers have extended hours available as they respond to the emergency.
BE THE FIRST TO COMMENT
Anyone interested can sign up for an appointment on the organization’s website.
PROVIDENCE — The Rhode Island Blood Center’s blood supply was low before Saturday’s mass shooting at Brown University, and it is immediately stepping up blood drives to meet the need, an official said Sunday.
“We were definitely dealing with some issues with inventory going into the incident,” Executive Director of Blood Operations Nicole Pineault said.
The supply was especially low for Type 0 positive and negative, which are often needed for mass casualty incidents, she said. Type 0 negative is considered the “universal” red blood donor, because it can be safely given to patients of any blood type.
Pineault attributed the low supply to weather, illness, and the lingering effects of the pandemic. With more people working from home, blood drives at office buildings are smaller, and young people — including college students — are not donating blood at the same rate as they did in the past, she said.
“There are a lot challenges,” she said.
But people can help by donating blood this week, Pineault said, suggesting they go to ribc.org or contact the Rhode Island Blood Center at (401) 453-8383 or (800) 283-8385.
The donor room at 405 Promenade St. in Providence is open seven days a week, Pineault said. Blood drives were already scheduled for this week at South Street Landing in Providence and at Brown Physicians, and the blood center is looking to add more blood drives in the Providence area this week, she said.
“It breaks my heart,” Pineault said of the shooting. “It’s a terrible tragedy. We run blood dives regularly on the Brown campus. Our heart goes out to all of the victims and the staff. We want to work with them to get the victims what they need.”
She said she cannot recall a similar mass shooting in Rhode Island.
“In moments of tragedy, it’s a reminder to the community how important the blood supply really is,” Pineault said. “It’s an easy way to give back, to help your neighbors, and be ready in unfortunate situations like this.”
The Rhode Island Blood Center has donor centers in Providence, Warwick, Middletown, Narragansett, and Woonsocket, and it has mobile blood drives, she noted.
On Sunday, the center’s website said “Donors urgently needed. Hours extended at some donor centers, 12/14.”
Edward Fitzpatrick can be reached at edward.fitzpatrick@globe.com. Follow him @FitzProv.
Authorities said two people were killed and eight more were injured in a mass shooting at Brown University, an Ivy League school in Rhode Island. Authorities said students were on campus for the second day of final exams.
Posted
San Francisco honors legendary photographer Jim Marshall with street named in his memory
Dallas Wings’ Paige Bueckers is just getting started
Free December events in Boston: Hanukkah celebrations, new play readings, and more – The Boston Globe
Where do Packers stand in NFC playoff picture after loss in Denver?
The gun violence that has taken place in the last two days is prompting San Diego community members to take action.
Florida High School Football Rankings: Top 25 teams – Oct. 21
Cleary's 21 help Le Moyne down Central Connecticut State 69-64 in OT
How old is Bo Nix? What to know about Oregon quarterback ahead of 2024 NFL Draft
99th annual Pony Swim held in Virginia
Video: ‘It Didn’t Have to Happen This Way:’ U.Va. Faculty Call for Review of Police Response to Protests
Bill and Hillary Clinton’s Stance on Epstein Testimony Nov. 3
Small Business Administration unveils new initiative to roll back federal regulations
Analysis: Trump’s policies set to widen EU-US innovation gap
With federal relief on the horizon, Black farmers worry it won’t come soon enough
Trump’s election win filled Hamas with ‘fear,’ hostage held like ‘slave’ for 505 days recounts
-
Alaska1 week agoHowling Mat-Su winds leave thousands without power
-
Texas1 week agoTexas Tech football vs BYU live updates, start time, TV channel for Big 12 title
-
Washington6 days agoLIVE UPDATES: Mudslide, road closures across Western Washington
-
Iowa1 week agoMatt Campbell reportedly bringing longtime Iowa State staffer to Penn State as 1st hire
-
Miami, FL1 week agoUrban Meyer, Brady Quinn get in heated exchange during Alabama, Notre Dame, Miami CFP discussion
-
Iowa2 days agoHow much snow did Iowa get? See Iowa’s latest snowfall totals
-
Cleveland, OH1 week agoMan shot, killed at downtown Cleveland nightclub: EMS
-
World1 week ago
Chiefs’ offensive line woes deepen as Wanya Morris exits with knee injury against Texans
