Opioid Epidemic: How Hard has Chelmsford Been Hit?

By Joe Lipovich (Patch Staff)

CHELMSFORD, MA—The opioid epidemic has taken the Commonwealth 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 January 2012 to December 2014, there were six opioid-related overdose deaths in Chelmsford during that time span. Zero deaths were recorded in 2012, but three deaths were recorded in both 2013 and 2014.

From the years 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 has had the most opioid-related deaths out of any county in the Commonwealth between 2000 and 2014.

On March 14, Governor Charlie Baker inked an opioid abuse prevention bill into law that helps prevent 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.