Massachusetts experienced a 10% drop in opioid-related overdose deaths from 2022 to 2023, the largest decline in two decades, with an expected continuation of this trend in 2024. However, the report highlighted concerning data on overdose deaths when broken down by race and ethnicity. While the rates decreased among white, non-Hispanic males, they increased among Black non-Hispanic men. The overall decrease in deaths is attributed to factors such as naloxone distribution programs, harm reduction initiatives, and drug-checking programs. The report also emphasized the need for legal protections to support the establishment of supervised injection sites to address the opioid crisis.
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Massachusetts reports largest single-year decline in opioid-related overdose deaths in two decades
