Fentanyl continues to fuel OD deaths in Massachusetts

(Wicked Local, May 22) The potent synthetic opioid, fentanyl, is behind a majority of drug overdose deaths involving opioids in Massachusetts.

In 2016, 1,933 people died after overdosing on opioids, a 16 percent increase over 2015, according to the state’s Department of Public Health’s report. Heroin was involved in about 33 percent of the deaths while fentanyl was involved in 77 percent.

The number of opioid deaths increased dramatically in just six years. In 2010, the state saw 560 opioid-related overdose deaths. Read more.