For years, Boston fought an uphill battle against opioid addiction. Now the city is seeing real results. From May to August 2024, opioid-related deaths dropped 38% compared to the same period in 2023.
How Boston Turned the Tide
The city distributed over 23,000 naloxone doses in 2024 as part of comprehensive overdose response work. This lifesaving medication has reversed countless overdoses on Boston streets, in homes, and in shelters.
Hospitals Leading Change
Massachusetts General Hospital and other Boston medical centers now embed addiction specialists who can start patients on medications and treatment at their bedside. Studies show this reduces severity of substance use and dramatically cuts hospital readmissions.
The Work Continues
Overdose deaths remain the leading cause of early death in Boston. The crisis disproportionately impacts Black and Latinx residents. But for the first time in years, the numbers are moving in the right direction.
Finding Help
If you need treatment in Boston, the Bureau of Substance Addiction Services can connect you with resources. Recovery is possible - Boston is proving it.
Sober Network is a directory, not an intake form. Explore local facilities and contact providers directly.
