News

2nd quarter opioid report shows deaths down, fentanyl up

BOSTON — While data shows that opioid-related deaths in Massachusetts are declining, the presence of fentanyl has continued to rise.

The new numbers are from the second quarterly report looking at opioid-related deaths for 2017.

The state says that not since the HIV/AIDS epidemic has Massachusetts seen such a sharp increase in a single death category.

HIGHLIGHTS FROM THE REPORT

The first six months of 2017 show that opioid-related deaths fell 5 percent compared to the same period last year, with 53 fewer deaths.

State officials are also seeing a fall in the rate of opioid prescribed. In the first quarter of 2015, there were 841,990 Schedule II opioid prescriptions. In the second quarter of 2017, the number fell to 638,000, according to the Prescription Monitoring Program.

In opioid-related deaths that have a toxicology screening, the rate of fentanyl present continues to rise while the rate of heroin present continues to decline.

WHO IS AFFECTED

For January through June 2017, of the 610 deaths, 75 percent were male and 25 percent female.

Ages 15 - 24 25 - 34 35 - 44 45 - 54 55 - 64 65 and older
Confirmed Opioid-Related Deaths 44 183 146 151 72 14

When it comes to race, a majority of white people are dying, keeping with the trend over the past few years.

Race White/non-Hispanic Black/non-Hispanic Asian/non-Hispanic Hispanic Other/Unknown
Confirmed Opioid-Related Deaths 500 35 4 57 14

The greatest number of incidents this is among men ages 25 to 34.

USE OF NARCAN

In the first quarter of 2017, about one-third of opioid overdoses required more than one dose of narcan. For every opioid-related incident, EMS gave narcan 1.4 times, said the report.

“The data contained in our quarterly reports are snapshots in time,” said Public Health Commissioner Monica Bharel, MD, MPH. “They help paint a picture of where we are in the epidemic and, more importantly, offer clues to how we can respond in the most efficient and effective way possible.’’

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In a news release, the state said that Massachusetts is expanding access to narcan and the Baker-Polito Administration is working to provide treatment to those incarcerated.