Somerville Police, Fire Have Responded To 18 Overdoses Since May 1

SOMERVILLE, MA — The Somerville Police and Fire Departments have responded to 18 overdose incidents since May 1, 2022, including four fatal cases, said the city on Thursday.

According to Somerville police, Fentanyl continues to be a primary substance causing overdoses in the city. Another factor that is increasing fatalities is the use of other substances such as Xylazine, which is not an opioid, therefore Narcan may not be enough.

Overdoses have not been limited to opioids, said the police department. Another factor contributing to the increase in overdoses is cross contamination. It is not uncommon for suppliers to distribute multiple drugs, and therefore some of these cases were using stimulants in addition to other substances also at risk of overdose.

"Overdose is a medical emergency and the Somerville Police Department is committed to supporting community health through providing supports and interventions,” the department said in a statement. "Please know that if you call 911 for an overdose related emergency it will be addressed as a medical emergency. We know that time is crucial to save someone’s life."

"Somerville Police Department is committed to partnering with community to reduce these tragic outcomes,” they continued.

Overdose resources in Somerville

The Somerville Police Department's Community-Outreach-Help-Recovery Unit (COHR) is available Mon – Friday from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m., and Thursday evenings the department partners with ACCESS from 4 to 7 p.m. to follow up on medical calls and provide resources.For more information, contact Patty Contente 617-625-6600 ext. 7281 or Cheryl Delafano at ext. 7345.

ACCESS, an active drug user health program, can be reached directly at 857-313-6800 and has walk-in hours Monday through Wednesday and on Friday from 9 a.m. to 12 p.m. and 1 p.m. to 4 p.m. and on Thursday from 9 a.m. to 12 p.m. ACCESS offers narcan, tests strips, safe injection supplies, nursing, and harm reduction specialists.

To find out more about recovery programs and detox, contact the Mass Substance Abuse Help line at 1-800-327-5050 or the Mass Behavioral Health Access website for current listings of Ddetox programs

For further information about opioid overdose, the World Health Organization has an online resource in multiple languages.

Anyone with questions about overdoses in Somerville may contact the police department at 617-625-1212