THE EVERETT ADVOCATE – FRIDAY, NOVEMBER 19, 2021 Page 15 Mass. opioid-related overdose death rate up one percent in first nine months of 2021 O pioid-related overdose deaths in Massachusetts rose slightly in the first nine months of 2021 compared to the same time last year, according to preliminary data from the Massachusetts Department of Public Health (DPH), according to a November 10, 2021, DPH press release. In the first nine months of the year, there were 1,613 confirmed and estimated opioid-related overdose deaths, approximately 21 more deaths than in the first nine months of 2020, or a one percent increase. Data released earlier this year noted that Black non-Hispanic men made up the largest increase in opioid overdose death rates, a finding reinforced by the November report, underscoring the importance of the Commonwealth’s continued investments to address this issue with a focus on equity. Throughout the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic and related public health challenges, the Commonwealth has continued to focus on the opioid epidemic, most recently investing over $45 million in federal dollars to support prevention, treatment and recovery programs for vulnerable populations. This includes a combined $19 million for early childhood and youth substance use prevention, treatment and recovery programs; $9 million for low-threshold access to treatment for people struggling with opioid use disorder; $2.8 million for treatment for people experiencing homelessness; and a combined $11.3 million to support transitional and permanent housing programs for adults, families and young adults in treatment and recovery from substance abuse disorder. “The COVID-19 pandemic has exacerbated substance misuse not only in Massachusetts, but across the country. Our Administration has continued to tackle both the opioid epidemic and the COVID-19 pandemic with a focus on equity,” said Governor Charlie Baker. “Since 2015, we have more than doubled spending on substance misuse programs across state government, boosted the number of treatment beds, and signed two landmark laws to respond to this public health crisis. We continue to invest in treatment, support, intervention, and education programs, primarily for residents experiencing the highest burden of this epidemic.” “We remain committed to increasing resources to battle the opioid crisis amid the challenges presented by the COVID-19 pandemic over the past 20 months, particularly for those struggling with substance use and mental health disorders,” said Lt. Governor Karyn Polito. “We will continue to work collaboratively with all stakeholders to ensure residents struggling with addiction have access to necessary supports.” The Baker-Polito Administration has continued to build on its work and funding to address this crisis, more than doubling investments in this area since 2015. The Fiscal Year (FY) 2022 budget includes a total investment of $408 million across various state agencies to address substance misuse, a 22 percent increase over last fiscal year and an increase of $288.8 million (242%) since FY15. Since the early days of the pandemic, the Administration has continued to expand overdose-targeted initiatives to ensure uninterrupted substance abuse treatment/support. DPH has distributed more than 124,000 naloxone kits to opioid treatment programs, community health centers, hospital emergency departments and houses of correction since March 2020. With a blanket exception from the federal Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA), 35 percent of Massachusetts opioid treatment program ONE PERCENT | SEE PAGE 19
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