Opioid Deaths And Overdoses Continue At Alarming Levels In Manchester And Nashua

MANCHESTER, NH - The number of overdoses, and deaths from suspected opioid overdoses continues to trend at a very high number this year in Manchester and Nashua.

In a monthly recap of the two largest cities in New Hampshire provided by AMR, indicates there were 84 suspected opioid overdoses in Nashua and Manchester during August 2022 bringing the total for this year to 624, a 19 percent increase over the same period in 2021.

Preliminary data shows that there were 11 likely opioid-related deaths in August that are pending verification from the Office of the NH Chief Medical Examiner. Eight of those deaths were in Manchester and three in Nashua.

Data shows Nashua has experienced 32 suspected opioid-related deaths through August. There were 30 suspected opioid-related deaths in Nashua during all of 2021. Nashua remains on pace to have the highest number of suspected deaths from opioids in a one-year period since the opioid epidemic began in 2015.

Manchester is still on pace to have the highest number of suspected opioid-related deaths in a one-year period since 2017.

AMR medics continue to see and listen to reports from suspected opioid OD patients who believed they were not specifically using opioids and were surprised that they overdosed on an opioid. Methamphetamine use, which is not currently tracked and is not included in this report, continues to be seen mixed with opioid use. Meth is a particularly dangerous drug for both users and first responders as it can cause extreme excited delirium and alarmingly unpredictable behavior in users.

Chris Stawasz, AMR Northeast Director Of Government Affairs says there is no safe illicit drug. "Users should bear in mind that it is highly likely there is some quantity of synthetic Fentanyl in virtually any substance that they are using and users should not use alone. Those using should have Narcan readily available and in NH, can seek addiction treatment to prevent death by accessing the NH Doorway program. The NH Doorway program can be accessed by calling 2-1-1 at any time of the day or night.

MANCHESTER & NASHUA, NH COMBINED AUGUST 2022