Opioid Epidemic: How Hard has Weymouth Been Hit?

Originally published on March 24, 2016.

By JOE LIPOVICH (Patch Staff)

WEYMOUTH, 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 from Jan. 2012 to Dec. 2014, there were 12 confirmed opioid-related overdose deaths in Weymouth during that time span. Eleven deaths were recorded in 2012 and 12 were recorded 2013,

From the year 2000-2014, Norfolk County has seen 815 opioid-related deaths, 108 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.