'This Is A National Epidemic': Milford's Opioid Overdose Numbers Increase

MILFORD, MA—The numbers released by the state Department of Public Health paint a rather dismal landscape of the opioid epidemic in Massachusetts. Milford is among the communities that has seen an increase in opioid deaths.

The state's numbers show 5 deaths from opioids in 2012 down to 2 in 2013. In 2014, the state reports that Milford deaths from opioids were 4 and 3 in 2015, rising to 9 in 2016.

Police Chief Thomas O'Loughlin, however, said that the state's numbers are inaccurate, and that the department has tracked every overdose and overdose death in Milford since 2012. O'Loughlin said that in 2015, there were 4 overdose deaths and in 2016 there were 15. The increase, he said, is attributable to the increased number of overdoses (48 in 2015 and 92 in 2016) and the use of fentanyl as contrasted to heroin.

"The use of Narcan to reverse an overdose is much more difficult when fentanyl is used by the person," said O'Loughlin. "We have been working to impact on this national epidemic from a number of efforts to include enforcement, treatment and education."

Statewide, an average of 38 people per week died of opioids in 2016 with fentanyl contributing substantially to the death toll, according to updated data released last week by the Department of Public Health, reports Andy Metzger, State House News Service.

"Detectives [in Milford] have been work with the DEA Task Force to identify and arrest dealers and traffickers," said O'Loughlin. "The town has provided funding to utilize the services of Amy Leone and Community Impact to provide treatment options for addicts and they respond to every overdose with detectives. And Amy Leone, the Police Department and the Sheriff have been working closely with the Milford Schools to educate the young people of these dangers."

The state reported in February that there were 1,465 unintentional opioid overdose deaths in 2016 and another 469 to 562 deaths that were suspected to have involved opioids, said State House News. The updated data released concluded there were 1,933 confirmed opioid-related deaths last year in Massachusetts.

"This is a national epidemic that is impacting upon every community," said O'Loughlin. "It is for this very reason that we have also partnered with the police in Upton, Medway, Hopkinton, Hopedale and Holliston to bring these same services to their communities."

Statewide, Department of Public Health officials reported the data shows "signs of progress in fighting the opioid epidemic as the increase in death rates appears to have slowed," according to State House News.

In the first three months of 2017, the Department of Public Health recorded 172 confirmed cases of opioid overdose deaths and estimated an additional 242 to 307 deaths stemming from opioids, said State House News. Public Health Commissioner Monica Bharel said that the number opioid deaths in the first quarter of 2017 appears to be "about the same" as the same period one year ago, while cautioning that it is "difficult to say quarter to quarter what's happening."

The town-by-town data on opioid deaths can be seen below:

This report includes segments by Andy Metzger, State House News Service