Norwood Fatal Overdoses Nearly At Last Year's Total

NORWOOD, MA — The latest overdose numbers given to the selectmen were a mixed bag.

In his update to the board Tuesday night, Police Chief William Brooks said the town experienced two fatal overdoses recently, bringing this year’s total to five. Last year, there were six. Overall overdoses are slightly below the total for this time last year.

The drug issue continues to be prevalent in Norwood. Brooks said that there were arrests recently made in three substantial drug cases.

Selectman Allan Howard expressed some of his frustration with the issue at Tuesday night’s meeting.

“What do we do about the drugs? You do everything you can. You’ll counsel people, you’ll help them to get on the right path, and here we are. It’s gotta be so discouraging for you,” he said.

Brooks agreed and said also said that it’s extremely discouraging to have to arrest the same dealers over and over again.

“I can tell you that’s a frustration that’s easy to identify. As we look at the people who overdose, some of them we know, some of them are surprise people we don’t know at all, or we knew in passing that we didn’t know had a drug issue,” Brooks said.

Brooks added that his department follows up on every overdose and is always willing to help those in need of help enter a detox center.

Image: File Photo