Collaborative Mentorship Network for Chronic Pain and Addiction

An Assessment of Opioid Related Deaths in Massachusetts (2013 - 2014)
Massachusetts Department of Public Health

Background

Since 2000, opioid‐related deaths have increased in Massachusetts by 350%.  The recent rate of increase is several times faster than anything seen before1  with every community in Massachusetts impacted by the current opioid epidemic.  However, beneath this statewide impact, data indicates that some areas of the Commonwealth have been disproportionately impacted by this opioid epidemic.  In particular, southeastern Massachusetts and Essex County have been inordinately affected.  Just as communities are differentially impacted by the current opioid epidemic, population groups are also differently burdened.  Opioid‐related death rates are highest among younger males – a fact that is similar in all states.2 Opioid‐related death rates are also higher among those who have recently been released from Massachusetts prisons, those who have obtained opioid prescriptions from multiple pharmacies, and those who have obtained prescription opioids in combination with other scheduled medications...