Massachusetts Opioid-Related Deaths Up 20% In 2015

In 2015, 1,574 Massachusetts residents died of an unintentional opioid-related overdose, 20% more than the 1,316 confirmed opioid-related overdose deaths during 2014, and 71% more than the 918 opioid overdose deaths in 2013. During the first nine-months of 2016, there were 1,005 confirmed opioid-related overdose deaths. This class of overdose deaths are due to illegal heroin and fentanyl, as well as prescription opioids pain relievers.

In addition to a rise in the number of confirmed opioid-related overdose deaths, the estimated rate of unintentional opioid-related overdose deaths in 2015 was 32% higher . . .