from the Massachusetts Department of Public Health. The agency estimated a 1.5% decrease in overdose deaths through September of this year, compared to the first nine months of 2021.
Although the increase in Massachusetts was not as dramatic, it was still of great concern, and state officials and advocates took action. Despite these efforts and others, the rate of deaths related to overdoses has remained relatively stable since 2016. Advocates for people who use drugs say that shows the state needs to do much more to fight this epidemic.
The latest numbers from the state highlight the need for more education about the danger of fentanyl in powder oror on the street. Fentanyl was in 94% of fatal toxicology reports from January through June this year. In 53% of those deaths, the person had taken cocaine, which may have been laced with fentanyl. Roughly one in four opioid overdose deaths also involved benzodiazepines.in fatal overdoses.