Marblehead Sees Slight Uptick In Overdose Deaths

MARBLEHEAD, 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 Marblehead residents, the number of opioid-related overdose deaths rose to four people, the highest in the community since the DPH started collecting data.

"It's tragic," said Marblehead Police Chief Robert Picariello. "We know there is a crisis out there. This opioid crisis is in fact an epidemic. The town has done assorted things to try to address it."

Marblehead recently screened the film "If Only," about opioid abuse and addiction, and facilitated a discussion among participants. The Opioid Working Group is set to launch a door knocking program, in which professionals will go to the home of a recent overdose victim and provide them with services and resources.

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.

Marblehead:

• 2012: 3
• 2013: 2
• 2014: 0
• 2015: 1
• 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