Opioid Overdoses Up, But Deaths Down in Norwood During 2016

NORWOOD, MA — The opioid epidemic continues to impact Norwood in the worst ways.

During his update at Tuesday’s selectmen meeting, Norwood Police Chief William Brooks told the board that overdoses are up, but deaths are down. In 2015, police and fire responded to 41 overdoses and saw eight fatalities. In 2016, while there were 47 overdoses, only three people died. The numbers do not include those who make their own way to the hospital.

“I can’t describe anything particular in that shift. If anything, the overdoses have become more problematic,” Brooks said.

In the past two weeks, police have responded to two overdose calls from the same person. The first time involved fentanyl and the person required six doses of Narcan during the second response.

State data for the full year is not available yet but through September, there have been 1,005 confirmed opioid-related deaths during 2016 in Massachusetts, according to the state's Department of Public Health.

Image: File photo