'Thousands of lives saved': Massachusetts opioid OD deaths drop under 1,000

Rick Sobey, Boston Herald on Jun 5, 2026

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BOSTON — Deadly opioid ODs have plummeted in the Bay State in recent years, according to officials who are crediting “a comprehensive and collaborative public health response” to the crisis.

New data shows that opioid-related overdose deaths in Massachusetts fell below 1,000 last year. That’s the first time since 2013 that the state recorded fewer than 1,000 opioid-related overdose deaths in a year.

There were 978 confirmed and estimated opioid-related overdose deaths among Massachusetts residents last year, according to Department of Public Health preliminary 2025 data released by the CDC.

The count of 978 deaths is nearly a 60% drop in fatal opioid overdoses in the state since the record high of 2,364 deaths in 2022.

“This projected decline represents thousands of lives saved, families kept whole, and communities strengthened,” Gov. Maura Healey said in a statement.

“It also represents the tireless efforts of clinicians, service providers, community support programs, and advocates across the Commonwealth who continue to dedicate themselves to this life-saving work,” the governor added.

Opioid-related overdose deaths last year are estimated to be 27% lower than in 2024.

The count last year builds on a recent downward trend in fatal opioid overdoses in the state — which includes a 36% year-over-year decrease in 2024, and a 10% reduction in 2023.

“This progress, experienced by families across the Commonwealth as years of extra joy and life, is the result of a comprehensive and collaborative public health response that has prioritized evidence-based care, community partnership, and compassion,” said Health and Human Services Secretary Kiame Mahaniah.

“Data show us that providing access to housing, harm reduction, treatment options, and supportive peer communities works to prevent overdose — and the Commonwealth will continue its commitment to supporting and expanding access to these tools and services,” the secretary added.

DPH recently published its 2024 Opioid-Involved Overdose Report, which provides an overview of the opioid overdose crisis in Massachusetts and reviews trends in fatal and nonfatal opioid overdoses.

The report outlines three primary theories for the nearly 37% decrease in deaths seen in 2024, including: a potentially safer street drug supply resulting in reduced risk of fatal overdose; a decrease in the number of people at high risk for overdose; and the positive impact of expanded overdose prevention resources and treatment policies.

“Massachusetts remains steadfast in its commitment to expanding access to treatment, overdose prevention tools, recovery supports, and community-based services in ways that are equity-based and responsive to community needs,” said DPH Commissioner Robbie Goldstein.

“The recent decreases in overdose deaths reflect the positive impact and reach of this work and remind us that these efforts must persist,” he added. “Overdose deaths are completely preventable. DPH will continue to invest in data-driven and dignity-affirming approaches to substance use.”

The overdose declines seen in the Massachusetts data reflect a broader national trend of declining overdose deaths. However, Massachusetts continues to rank among the leading states demonstrating the most substantial reductions in mortality.

“While a 27% decrease in opioid overdose deaths is encouraging and reflects the impact of sustained investments in prevention, harm reduction, treatment, and recovery support, we must never lose sight of the fact that behind every data point is a person — a loved one, a family member, a friend, a neighbor,” said Deirdre Calvert, DPH’s Bureau of Substance Addiction Services director.

“Nobody is a nobody, and everyone has a somebody,” the director added. “Our work is ultimately about people, about saving lives, and about ensuring that every person struggling with substance use knows that they matter and that recovery is possible.”

Since 2023, the Healey administration has invested more than $1 billion in substance use prevention, harm reduction, treatment, and recovery programs across the state.

In fiscal year 2025, this included funding more than 150,000 Narcan kits for community organizations, more than 10,000 Narcan kits for first responders, and nearly 400,000 fentanyl test strips for community use.

The administration also funded SafeSpot, a virtual overdose spotting hotline; fostered access to inpatient, residential, outpatient, and other forms of treatment through the licensing and regulation of over 500 treatment programs; funded low-threshold housing; and invested in 39 peer-recovery support centers that serve over 13,000 individuals across the state.

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