Opioid Epidemic: How Hard has Mansfield Been Hit?

By JOE LIPOVICH (Patch Staff)

MANSFIELD, MA—The opioid epidemic has taken the state by storm, and legislators on both the local and state levels have been taking action to fight back against the disease of addiction.

According to the Massachusetts Department of Public Health's most recent data which accounts for opioid-related overdose deaths, Mansfield saw two confirmed opioid-related deaths in 2014. There were four in 2013 and none in 2012.

From the year 2000-2014, Bristol County has seen 1,146 opioid-related deaths, 134 of which were recorded in 2014 alone.

Middlesex County has had the most opioid-related deaths out of any county in the Commonwealth between 2000 and 2014.

On March 14, Governor Charlie Baker inked an opioid abuse prevention bill into law that helps prevent potential addiction before it begins, as well as establish limits on painkiller prescriptions. Baker also added that more legislation is on the way for Massachusetts.