Mass. Opioid-Related Overdoses Continue Deadly Climb in 2016

Updated estimates out Wednesday suggest the rate of opioid-related overdose deaths has climbed so far in 2016 and that synthetic drug fentanyl has been tied to most of the deaths.

The latest numbers from Massachusetts' Department of Public Health run through June 2016. They put the number of unintentional opioid overdose deaths this year at 488 confirmed deaths and an additional 431-509 estimated fatalities.

The rate so far in the first six months of 2016 is higher than it was during that same time period in 2015. In 2016, there have been approximately 940 cases of opioid-related deaths. As of June 2015, that number was 902.

It puts Massachusetts on track for the deadliest year on record, and shows the opioid crisis is far from abating. In 2015, the rate of opioid-realted overdose deaths was at its highest ever in the state, at 24.6 deaths per 100,000 residents — a 23 percent increase of the rate in 2014, according to the report.

Lawmakers passed a sweeping legislative package earlier this year designed to stem that tide. Among other measures, the law establishes a one-week limit for initial painkiller prescriptions, lets patients opt to fill only part of their prescriptions, and implements screenings in schools to catch abuse at a young age.

While the opioid epidemic does not appear to be slowing, the latest data shows the nature of the threat is changing.

The Department of Public Health report shows deaths related to fentanyl climbed up to 66 percent of 2016’s confirmed overdose deaths, based on the drug's presence in toxicology screenings. It appeared in 57 percent of overdose cases in 2015. As fentanyl-related deaths increase, the report found, heroin and prescription drug-related deaths have been on the decline.

Most of the fentanyl found in Massachusetts is an illegally manufactured version of the drug, as opposed to the prescription painkiller prescribed by pharmacists, the report said.

Read more from Patch:

• Natick Chiefs: 'We're Not Going to Arrest Our Way Out of the Opioid Epidemic'
• Mass. Up for $20 Million to Combat Opioid Abuse
• Baker Signs Opioid Abuse Prevention Bill Into Law