53 Suspected Heroin/Opiate Deaths in Mass. During the Holidays

The holidays are a joyful time for many families. For others with a member struggling with addiction, it’s turned tragic.

Since Dec. 1, State Police said there have been 53 suspected heroin/opiate overdose deaths across the state—including 16 this weekend.

Gov. Deval Patrick earlier this year declared opioid addiction a public health crisis.

Governor Patrick makes an announcement relative to opiate addiction and recovery at the Department of Public Health. (Credit: Eric Haynes)

Authorities said 185 people in the state died from suspected heroin overdoses from Nov. 2013 to Feb. 2014. That total doesn’t include the state’s three largest cities—Boston, Worcester, and Springfield, which keep their own records.

In response, local first responders have started carrying Narcan, a drug that can revive an overdose victim. Last month, Littleton police said they used Narcan to revive an overdose victim.

And even Littleton, a small community of about 9,000 people, has experienced eight overdoses in recent months.

“Drug overdose is an extremely serious issue,” Littleton Police Chief Matthew King said last month. “Lifesaving methods (like Narcan) are just pieces of the bigger puzzle, which includes education, prevention, and aggressive pursuit of drug traffickers and suppliers.”

The Patrick administration said it set aside $20 million for treatment and recovery services.

Meanwhile, police have been targeting dealers.

In April, Easton police arrested a “major” heroin dealer who they said had about 600 grams of the drug, plus $20,000 in cash.

“Major” heroin dealer Steven J. Glover, of Marshfield. (Credit: Easton police)

And Springfield police declared a “war on heroin,” while chronicling major busts on Facebook:

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