The Opioid Epidemic: How Hard Has Bedford Been Hit?

BEDFORD, MA - The opioid epidemic has taken the state by storm, and legislators on both the local and state levels have been taking action to fight back against the disease of addiction.

According to the Massachusetts Department of Public Health's most recent data, which accounts for opioid-related overdose deaths from Jan. 2012 to Dec. 2014, there were four opioid-related overdose deaths in Bedford during that time span. Two deaths were recorded in 2012, and none in 2013, while two deaths were recorded in 2014.

From the 2000 to 2014, Middlesex County saw 1,634 opioid-related deaths, 238 of which were recorded in 2014 alone. The 2014 figure breaks down to an average of 4.4 opioid-related deaths per city and town in the county.

Middlesex County had the most opioid-related deaths out of any county in the Commonwealth between 2000 and 2014.

On March 14, Governor Charlie Baker inked anopioid abuse prevention bill into law that helpsprevent potential addiction before it begins, as well as establish limits on painkiller prescriptions. Baker also added that more legislation is on the way for Massachusetts.

Joe Lipovich, Patch Staffer, contributed to this report