Danvers Sees Small Decrease In Opioid Overdoses

DANVERS, MA – The numbers released by the state Department of Public Health paint a dismal picture of the opioid epidemic in Massachusetts. While the number of opioid-related overdose deaths remain small on the North Shore compared to other communities, the numbers show some change over the years.

For Danvers residents, the number of opioid-related overdose deaths dropped to four people in 2016, down from 6 in 2015.

The data is based on deaths that occurred to residents from each community, though it's unclear how the DPH determines residence.
There were 1,933 confirmed opioid-related deaths in 2016 across the state, a 16 percent increase from 2015. The Office of the Chief Medical Examiner is still waiting on additional cases from 2015 and 2016, and the report is updated quarterly.

Danvers:

• 2012: 5
• 2013: 6
• 2014: 4
• 2015: 6
• 2016: 4

"This enhanced level of data collection is a critical resource to help the administration, public safety officials and health care professionals understand the destructive impact of opioid-related overdoses in every corner of the Commonwealth," said Gov. Charlie Baker in a statement. "We will continue to monitor trends and respond through targeted prevention, treatment and recovery services to break the negative momentum of this crisis."

Click here to read the full town-by-town report.

Image via Shutterstock