Officials Warn of Increase in Overdose Deaths This Year

By Transcript Staff

There has been a dramatic increase in the number of overdose deaths in town this year, according to Public Health Director Meredith Hurley and Police Chief John Goodwin.

They are urging residents to make use of multiple services that are available to help with substance use issues. 

Winthrop experienced five overdose deaths in 2023, but so far this year there have already been a dozen deaths linked to drug overdoses, a more than 200 percent increase over last year, according to town and police officials.

“This news is tragic, and we are now concerned because the holiday season is approaching, and we have historically seen rates of substance misuse increase overall during this time of year,” said Hurley. “We want everyone in our community to know that we have many resources available to help those struggling with substance use disorder. We want to help save lives.”

The Winthrop Department of Public Health offers free Narcan and free fentanyl test strips that can be picked up in the department’s offices or mailed to an address in the community with no questions asked. 

There are also Peer Recovery Coaches available to support those who are contemplating, seeking, or currently recovering from substance use disorder. Abstinence from substances is not required to connect with Peer Recovery Coaches, who are provided confidentially and free of charge.

Winthrop Police and the Department of Public Health are also urging residents who use substances to never use alone or in isolation, where there is no one to help in the event of an overdose. Both departments urge users to ensure they always have Narcan on hand. 

Those who are using alone can contact the Never Use Alone Hotline at 877-696-1996. The hotline is available 24 hours per day, 7 days per week.

Anyone interested in being connected with Narcan, fentanyl test strips, or a peer recovery coach, or anyone who has additional questions, should email the Winthrop Community and Law Enforcement Assisted Recovery (CLEAR) Team at: clearteam@winthropma.gov.

“We want to spread the word that the drugs in our community are claiming lives at a record rate this year,” said Goodwin. “The Winthrop CLEAR Team has multiple ways to help those struggling with substance use disorder, and we are pleading with users to make use of those services before it’s too late.”