Opioid overdose deaths within the metropolis have dropped after rising final yr, in accordance with new “promising” information from the Boston Public Health Fee.
There have been 68 opioid-related overdose deaths amongst Boston residents within the first 4 months of this yr, in comparison with 102 deaths over the identical time interval in 2023.
That’s a 33% lower from final yr.
“These new data show we are on the right track thanks to the lifesaving work our street outreach workers and BPHC staff do every day,” Mayor Michelle Wu mentioned in a press release. “While these data show a promising trend, we know each life is more than just a number, and we as a city will continue to leverage resources and invest in recovery support services.”
Earlier information had confirmed that opioid overdose deaths elevated by 12% in Boston from 2022 to 2023, particularly amongst Black and Latinx residents.
Though the brand new information is preliminary and solely represents 4 months of the yr, the information is encouraging, officers mentioned.
“These data give us hope, but we have a lot of work to do to ensure that this trend continues,” mentioned Bisola Ojikutu, commissioner of Public Health for Boston.
“To that end, the Boston Public Health Commission is prioritizing evidence-based strategies, including expanding mobile outreach to people who are unhoused and at risk for overdose, increasing access to naloxone, and decreasing substance use stigma throughout Boston communities,” Ojikutu added.
Over the previous three years, BPHC used about $2 million in American Rescue Plan Act funding to increase neighborhood outreach and hurt discount providers, together with funding Torch Mild Restoration to run a neighborhood engagement staff in Nubian Sq. that connects individuals to substance use, psychological well being, and housing providers.
The Fee additionally funded day areas at Whittier Road Health Middle and the Boston Dwelling Middle with assist teams and housing navigation providers.
The Boston Public Health Fee is utilizing $7.5 million to increase entry to Narcan and different assets. Throughout Restoration Month in September, the Fee launched a marketing campaign to coach the general public about methods to guard family members from overdose and distributed $1 million in funding to 5 neighborhood organizations to distribute Narcan, stop overdose deaths, and supply substance use therapy.
The Fee can also be utilizing new federal funding to increase present overdose prevention providers, observe overdoses all through town, and construct a greater citywide assist system with totally different avenues of care.
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