Cambridge Public Health Department Announces Publication of Two Key Reports on Opioid Overdose and Opioid Settlement Funds

The Cambridge Public Health Department (CPHD) has published two important reports that provide critical insights into the ongoing opioid crisis and the perspectives of individuals with lived and living experience regarding substance use programming in our community. The reports, which focus on opioid overdose data for the years 2022-2023 and the allocation of opioid settlement funds, are now available to the public.

The Opioid Overdose Data Report (2022-2023) provides an in-depth analysis of opioid overdose data for the years 2022-2023. This comprehensive report includes information on overdose fatalities, trends in overdose incidents, hospital encounters related to overdose, and other key data points that shed light on how opioid overdose has affected Cambridge. CPHD has been issuing this report since 2016 and uses this data to inform public health strategies and community interventions.

The Community Experiences with Opioids and Other Substances report is the result of collaboration between the City of Cambridge and the City of Somerville and presents the views of individuals with lived and living experience with substance use on how to best allocate opioid settlement funds received by both cities. CPHD and Somerville Health and Human Services staff conducted focus groups, interviews, and surveys from May 2023 through January 2024. The report offers valuable feedback on how the funds can be used to support programming that is both effective and reflective of the needs of those most impacted by opioids and overdose.

Key Highlights from the Reports

Opioid Overdose Data Report 2022-2023

• There were 57 confirmed opioid-related overdose deaths among Cambridge residents.
• There were 76 opioid-related overdose deaths that occurred in Cambridge, regardless of residency status.Pro EMS, which provides Cambridge’s 911 emergency medical services, responded to 380 opioid overdose incidents, which occurred primarily in public places such as on the street, in a public building or park, at a business, or in a T station.
• Naloxone (also known as Narcan) was administered a total of 296 recorded times to save a life in Cambridge.
• The majority of Cambridge residents who received care at either CHA Cambridge Hospital or Mount Auburn Hospital after experiencing an overdose were identified as male and white. The majority of patients were between the ages of 35 and 54.

Community Experiences with Opioids and Other Substances: Insights and Recommendations

• A total of 71 individuals were interviewed about their experiences and recommendations. Outreach was conducted in partnership with the Access Drug User Health Program, Somerville Homeless Coalition, and the First Step Street Outreach program.
• Survey data represented 50 respondents, including people with lived/living experience and professionals whose work supports people who use drugs.
• Participant recommendations included the following:

* Offering additional harm reduction services, including public health vending machines that would dispense free supplies;
  * Increasing accessibility for detox services and medication-assisted treatment;
* Expanding existing services related to substance use and social support;
* Developing education and awareness campaigns for the general public and for providers to help reduce stigma;
* Bolstering prevention work focused on youth and people prescribed opioids; and
* Establishing an overdose prevention center or low-threshold engagement center.

These reports are part of ongoing efforts by CPHD and the city to address the opioid crisis in our community. Cambridge is committed to prioritizing data-driven solutions and community input to ensure that resources are allocated effectively and that the voices of those with lived and living experience are central to shaping policy and programs.

The full reports are now available on the CPHD website at cambridgepublichealth.org/resources/opioid-reports. For more information about the opioid abatement funds, please refer to the state’s web page about the Attorney General’s opioid statewide settlements.

For questions about substance use programming in Cambridge, please contact CPHD Prevention and Recovery Specialist Danielle McPeak, dmcpeak@cambridgepublichealth.org.