In Rhode Island, 434 people died of accidental overdoses in 2022

PROVIDENCE, R.I. (WLNE) — Data released Wednesday by the Rhode Island Department Health show that drug overdose deaths stayed the same in the Ocean State last year, but the number of fatal overdoses didn’t go up.

In 2022, per the data, 434 Rhode Islanders died of accidental overdose deaths — mirroring the previous year’s number.

“The number of drug overdose deaths in Rhode Island had been increasing since 2019, largely because of a more lethal drug supply locally and nationally,” said the DOH in a release.

According to the data, there was 13% decrease in overdose deaths between the first six months of 2022 and the second six months of that year.

The DOH said overdoses were disproportionately seen in men from 25 to 54 years old and Black non-Hispanic Rhode Islander.

The rate of deadly overdoses in Hispanic/Latino Rhode Islanders went up by 50% from 2021 to 2022, the data revealed.

The most overdoses — 84% — happened in private locations.

The DOH said fentanyl and cocaine continued to be involved in most fatal overdoses — fentanyl 75% and cocaine 50%.

“My heart breaks for each and every person who has lost a loved one to this epidemic,” said Gov. Dan McKee. “We owe it to the Rhode Islanders who have passed, and to their families, to do everything possible to prevent any additional overdose deaths.”

McKee said they have new interventions in place to respond to this crisis.

He introduced new leaders for the Overdose Task Force for Prevention and Intervention in November of 2022. The task force helps “guide” drug overdose prevention and intervention activities in Rhode Island.

“The Task Force has a Strategic Plan to end the overdose crisis and ensure racial equity is embedded across all pillars of its work, including prevention, harm reduction and rescue, treatment, and recovery,” explained Utpala Bandy, DOH’s interim director.

Other interventions include mobile outreach, having naloxone available, recovery centers, mobile medical treatment, and prevention education.

Moving forward, McKee said the state has several new interventions to avoid overdoses either planned or already in place, including opioid settlement funds, overdose prevention center, and targeted text messaging campaign.

For more information about state interventions, visit preventoverdoseRI.org.