Dartmouth sees decline in overdose deaths in 2024

Overdoses were down in Dartmouth for 2024, with the town seeing two fatal and 17 non-fatal overdoses, down from six fatal and 37 non-fatal overdoses in 2023.

Detective Christina Brum announced the news at the Dartmouth Advocates for Addiction, Recovery and Treatment Committee Meeting Monday, Jan. 27, where she also reported that two of those non-fatal cases occurred in December. 

“The numbers actually were pretty good just from what I’ve noticed over the last couple of years,” she said. 

In 2022, there were four overdose-related deaths the previous year and 57 non-fatal, according to the Dartmouth Police.

Sergeant Matthew Beauparland explained the police department’s count is based on calls for service and includes all incidents in town and are not specific to town residents. 

“We have been pretty consistent with town residents making up about 15% of those overdose incidents, while the rest are transients,” Beauparland said.

The state’s Department of Health records show nine overdose-related deaths of Dartmouth residents in 2023, down from 11 the year before. 

Beauparland said the state’s numbers may include fatalities that were not initially ruled an overdose, incidents out of town and other instances where there may not have been police involvement. 

Brum said, “The numbers are down, which is definitely a good thing, so the harm reduction stuff seems to be working well.”

The Dartmouth Police Department has started back up its Post-Overdose Prevention Program, which Brum said she’s had a positive experience with so far. 

She said as a part of the program, she recently followed up with someone who is already engaging in services. The department was able to provide additional information and resources they felt the family might need. 

The committee is supporting the program with $7,000 of its opioid settlement funding. 

Brum also noted that the department is continuing to work with the Seven Hills Foundation, an integrated health and human services network that provides clinical, educational and community-based support to children and adults with disabilities. She said the department will be heading to hotels where homeless are currently housed to provide narcan and any other supplies to “hopefully mitigate any potential overdoses.”

Matt Dansereau, the town’s engagement coordinator, said there are 16 people in Dartmouth who meet the criteria for homelessness. However, approximately 90 identify as homeless.

In the homeless population, he said 88% identified having a substance abuse issue.

Public Health Nurse Maura Reimer said she recently attended a presentation about what to expect for overdoses in 2025 and similar to Dartmouth, statistics are showing drug use and overdoses are down. 

However, she said the presentation noted that drug dealers are aware they are losing money and have been looking for ways to increase their market value. 

Reimer said the potency of fentanyl has gone down on the street level, so dealers are adding other drugs and stimulants, such as those used to treat ADHD, to boost the fentanyl.

Additionally, she said the presentation discussed how drug cartels in Mexico are reportedly “test driving these new recipes” on the homeless population and animals.

Beyond the drugs themselves, Reimer said it was noted there will likely be more class action lawsuits against insurance companies related to people getting turned down for benefits when seeking treatment in rehab.

For substance abuse-related resources, visit the committee’s page at https://www.town.dartmouth.ma.us/805/Dartmouth-Advocates-for-Addiction-Recove