RIDOH issues overdose spike alert in Woonsocket

WOONSOCKET, R.I. (WLNE) — The Rhode Island Department of Health has issued an overdose spike alert for increased non-fatal opioid overdose activity in Woonsocket.

According to a release, an overdose spike alert is issued when a region experiences a higher-than-usual number of non-fatal overdoses within seven days.

From November 28 to December 4, there were nine reports of non-fatal opioid overdoses taking place in Woonsocket.

RIDOH said this exceeds the historical overdose data.

According to RIDOH, Woonsocket has experienced a significantly higher rate of overdose burdenover the past six months and more than twice the statewide average.

There was a rate of 376 non-fatal opioid overdose reports in Woonsocket per 100,000 residents compared to the statewide rate of 185 reports per 100,000 residents.