Editorial: State’s OD death decline reason for guarded optimism

Boston overdose deaths decreased by double digit percentage in 2024; lowest in 10 years

An especially promising sign within Boston’s 2024 overdose data is the significant drop in deaths of Black and Latino residents, specifically men.

Editorial: State’s OD death decline reason for guarded optimism

Reason to celebrate, but not overestimate. That should be the takeaway from the state’s most recent fatal drug overdose statistics. Deaths in Massachusetts last year from that cause dropped to its lowest level in more than a decade, an encouraging sign in the battle against this once seemingly invincible foe. New preliminary data from the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention show a 33% decrease statewide in 2024, with 1,596 reported f…