Massachusetts heroin kills at least 185 people in 4 months

In the wake of the Philip Seymour Hoffman heroin overdose, the national public spotlight is continuing to shine on the heroin epidemic taking place in our country. The most recent state making headlines is Massachusetts, which reportedly has seen over 185 deaths due to heroin overdose since November 1, 2013. Even more shocking, these figures do not include the New England state’s largest cities of Boston, Springfield, and Worcester.

State police spokesman David Procopio told the Boston Globe:

We are continuing to investigate and analyze the problem in conjunction with our local police partners. We firmly believe that it is a problem that cannot be solved solely by arrests, although street enforcement is vital. Treatment and public education components are equally essential. Once we are able to gather more information we will release it to the public.

Reported Heroin Overdose Deaths by County

Berkshire: 2
Cape and Islands: 9
Suffolk: 10
Worcester: 12
Hampden: 12
Norfolk: 15
Hampshire: 19
Plymouth: 20
Essex: 22
Middlesex: 30
Bristol: 34

The statistics on the number of heroin related deaths for previous years are unavailable, as the state’s new tracking system had not yet been implemented, but Procopio was firm in his statement that these numbers reflect a significant increase in the number of heroin overdoses, and the presence of heroin in general.

Other Northeastern states like Vermont and New Jersey have been afflicted with the same issue, and one common theme in these overdose deaths seems to be the presence of Fentanyl, an extremely powerful opiate that is typically only administered in a hospital setting for surgical procedures. Drug dealers have long been notorious for mixing in other substances with illicit drugs in order to increase profits, but this particular chemical used as a cutting agent in heroin is proving to be extremely dangerous. Fentanyl essentially multiplies the strength of the purchased drug and puts users at a much higher risk of overdosing on amount that their bodies would typically be able to handle.

The chief justice of the trial court said Monday, Februrary 24th, that the state was in the midst of a public health crisis that demands a speedy, sweeping response. US Senator Edward J. Markey said Monday that heroin was “a scourge like we have never seen before.”

If you are in Massachusetts and need heroin treatment, detox, or rehab, please call us today at (844) 44-DETOX