MA Opioid Deaths Rise During Pandemic After Years Of Decline

MASSACHUSETTS — The state recorded 1,517 opioid-related deaths during the first nine months of 2020, up 33 from the same period in 2019. It was the first time opioid deaths had increased since 2016.

"As we battle the COVID-19 pandemic, we remain committed to continuing our work to address the opioid crisis and support our residents," Gov. Charlie Baker said in a statement. "We recognize that the stress, anxiety and social isolation brought on by COVID-19 can be especially hard on those dealing with substance use disorder, and we remain focused on serving those in need with our multi-pronged strategy of overdose prevention treatments, services, and supports."

Deaths fell 5 percent between 2019 and 2016, when the number of deaths peaked at 2,102. Massachusetts is on pace to surpass 2,000 opioid-related deaths for the fifth straight year in 2020.

Other states have seen similar increases. Like Massachusetts, those states saw the biggest increase during the early months of the pandemic, when there were widespread stay-at-home adversaries and orders, and when unemployment rates skyrocketed.

Massachusetts has increased efforts to fight opioid overdoses. Between March and September, the Massachusetts Department of Public Health distributed 75,000 naloxone kits to opioid treatment programs and community health centers. The department received a $113.9 million federal grant in August to supplement its efforts to fight opioid addiction.

Dave Copeland writes for Patch and can be reached at dave.copeland@patch.com or by calling 617-433-7851. Follow him on Twitter (@CopeWrites) and Facebook (/copewrites).