Overdose deaths in Boston plummet 38% in one year

Joe Dwinell, Boston Herald on May 29, 2025

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BOSTON — Boston recorded 169 overdose deaths last year.

That grim tally represents a 38% decrease year-over-year and mirrors a similar national trend.

Black and Latinx Boston residents, specifically men, experienced a 58% and 48% decrease, respectively, the Boston Public Health Commission reported.

“One life lost to overdose is one life too many,” said Dr. Bisola Ojikutu, Commissioner of Public Health for the City of Boston.

But she added that community-based organizations, health centers, and access to OD-reversing naloxone — or Narcan — all helped. Boston distributed over 23,000 doses of naloxone, health officials said.

Nationally, an estimated 80,000 people died from overdoses last year, according to Centers for Disease Control and Prevention data. That’s down 27% from the 110,000 in 2023, “the largest one-year decline ever recorded,” the CDC added.

City health officials stressed that “unintentional drug overdose is the leading cause of early death in Boston.”

Housing and treatment were also mentioned as key factors in helping addicts climb out of addiction.

“Every life saved from a fatal overdose shows the power of community, investment, and compassion,” said Mayor Michelle Wu. “Not only does this data represent the impact of our collective efforts to combat the opioid crisis, but emphasizes our continued support to communities who are disproportionately affected.”

The health report did not directly address the law enforcement focus on fentanyl trafficking or the Mass and Cass blight in Boston.

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