Overall opioid deaths remained high in the first six months of 2015, according to the Massachusetts Department of Public Health.
DPH released the new estimated 2015 data, as well as updated totals for 2014, as part of an ongoing commitment by the Baker-Polito administration for greater transparency and data information around the opioid epidemic. The number of confirmed cases of unintentional opioid overdose deaths for 2014 (1089) represents a 63% increase over 2012 (668) and a 20% increase over cases for 2013 (911).
The first three months of data in 2015, while still preliminary, suggests more overdose deaths than the same period last year. DPH analysts included early estimates for April – June of 2015 in the report, figures that are anticipated to change over the next several months as the department receives additional data and information.
“This data reminds us that we need to use every tool at our disposal to fight back against this public health crisis, which continues to have a drastic impact in all corners of the Commonwealth,” said Governor Charlie Baker. “Our proposed legislation introduces much-needed reforms to create new pathways to treatment and help us fight the deadly opioid epidemic.”
The updated data is available now at mass.gov/stopaddiction.
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