EMS: New opioid data shows crisis has stabilized

The number of suspected deaths related to opioids appears to be on the decline in Canton while the frequency of overdoses has begun to stabilize, according to new data released by the Canton Fire Department’s Emergency Medical Services division.

“At least the problem has not gotten worse,” said Fire Chief Charles Doody, who also serves as chairman of the Canton Alliance Against Substance Abuse (CAASA).

While official death counts cannot be certified because of federal HIPAA privacy laws and because final autopsy reports are not released to the Fire Department, Kevin Hurley, head of Canton EMS, said that after categorizing one death in 2016 and four deaths in 2017 as “possibly relating to opioids,” there were zero such cases documented in Canton in 2018.

For the 2018 calendar year, Canton EMS administered Narcan to 21 patients, of which 17 were classified as positive reversal reactions. Hurley said the count also included two people who were involved in motor vehicle accidents. He added that there were six non-responses to Narcan administration because of other substances used or other medical conditions. He noted that Narcan is only effective on opioids and not on cocaine or psychiatric medications.

The year 2017 saw the highest number of opioid incidences in the most recent three-year period with 24 Narcan administrations, including 18 positive responses/reversals, six non-responses and four deaths possibly related to opioids.

In 2016, in addition to classifying one death as possibly related to opioids, Canton EMS administered Narcan to 23 people, of which there were 19 positive responses/reversals and four non-responses.

Hurley’s research found that the majority of opioid-related overdoses have involved males and the age group of those treated ranges from teens to adults in their 60s.

Hurley said drug abuse education has and is working but his concern is with repeat offenders. “They get Narcan, go to the hospital to get checked out, but end up doing it again,” he said. “Repeat offenders are a problem.”

Hurley said the most common opioid found in emergency cases is either heroin or Fentanyl, a synthetic substance used to treat severe pain.

Doody, after examining the research, said that the counts over the last three years are much lower than the counts from the prior three-year period (2012-2015) and similar declines have been seen across the state.

“I compliment the efforts of the town and CAASA,” he said. “I think the town has done well to battle the crisis and keep the epidemic in check. At least it is not getting worse. I also think the implementation and use of Narcan and its availability to residents to purchase it in drugstores has helped.”

Drop-In Center Suspended

After feeling initial optimism about the potential of its monthly drop-in centers to be a valuable resource for local residents struggling with addiction and their family members, CAASA members decided at their meeting on Monday to suspend the program due to low demand.

Doody said attendance had declined sharply over the past several months. As a result, CAASA decided to close the center and offer prevention, intervention, education and treatment resources on an individual basis.

Anyone who in need of support or assistance can contact CAASA directly at cantonmaalliance@gmail.com or call the Canton Helpline at 781-828-6666. A resource list and contact information is also available on the CAASA website at www.cantonalliance.org.

In other CAASA news, the alliance will sponsor a Narcan training program on February 13 at 6 p.m. at the Canton Senior Center at 500 Pleasant Street. Free Narcan kits will be available to those who attend the training. The training is free and no preregistration is required.

CAASA will next meet on February 11 at 3:30 p.m. at Canton Fire headquarters at 99 Revere Street.

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Posted by Mike Berger on Jan 18 2019. Filed under News, Police & Fire. Both comments and pings are currently closed.