Natick Police Get Thank-You Letter From Woman Who Overdosed

NATICK, MA — A woman who survived an opioid overdose in Natick has written a thank-you letter to the police who saved her life. The woman overdosed in August, but was saved when police administered an anti-opioid drug called Narcan.

Since the overdose, the woman has found sobriety, regained custody of her daughter, and found "true happiness."

"I overdosed for the last time in August," the woman wrote in a letter delivered to Natick police this week. "It was a major wake up call. I went to detox the next day and haven't used since. Due to you guys saving my life through CPR and Narcan, I got my life back."

The woman lists everything she's achieved since the overdose, including earning back the trust of her family, and celebrating five months of sobriety.

"Thank you guys for everything you do! Keep up the hard work!" the woman concluded.

All Natick police officers carry Narcan — also known as naloxone — and some carry it while off-duty. The Natick Health Department distributes Narcan nasal spray free to any member of the public who wants it. Call the health department at 508-647-6460 to set up an appointment.

Natick experienced an uptick in opioid overdoses in 2019, but statewide opioid-related overdose deaths have begun to fall, according to data released Wednesday by the state Department of Public Health.

There was an estimated 2,023 deaths statewide in 2019, down about 3-1/2 percent from the 2016 peak of 2,097 deaths. There were four overdose deaths in Natick in 2018, the latest year state data is available.