New Bedford reports decline in opioid deaths amid Narcan training

In New Bedford, Massachusetts, advocates report that increased Narcan training and outreach are contributing to a decline in opioid-related deaths. Data from the Massachusetts Bureau of Substance Addiction Services shows that fatal overdoses in the city dropped from 84 in 2022 to 43 in 2024.

While the New Bedford Police Department has recorded a steady decline in reported Narcan uses since 2023, local recovery advocates suggest that actual usage may have increased due to wider public availability. They argue that the decrease in reported fatal overdoses is a direct result of more people successfully using the anti-overdose drug to reverse emergencies.