BACKGROUND: Reports analyzing drug overdose (OD) mortality data during the COVID-19 pandemic are limited. Outcomes across states are heterogenous, necessitating assessments of associations between COVID-19 and OD deaths on a state-by-state level. This report aims to analyze trends in OD deaths in Massachusetts during COVID-19. METHODS: Analyzing 3,924 death records, we characterize opioid-, cocaine-, and amphetamine-involved OD mortality and substance co-presence trends from March 24-November 8 in 2020 as compared to 2018 and 2019. RESULTS: OD deaths involving amphetamines increased by 85% from 2019 to 2020 (61 vs. 113; P<0.001) but were steady from 2018 to 2019. Heroin's presence continued to decrease (341 in 2018, 247 in 2019, 157 in 2020; P<0.001); however, fentanyl was present in more than 85% of all OD deaths across all periods. Among OD deaths, alcohol involvement consistently increased, present in 250 deaths in 2018, 299 in 2019 (P=0.02), and 350 in 2020 (P=0.04). In 2019, 78% of OD decedents were White and 7% were Black, versus 73% and 10% in 2020 (P=0.02). CONCLUSION: Increased deaths involving stimulants, alcohol, and fentanyl reflect concerning trends in the era of COVID-19. Rising OD death rates among Black residents underscore that interventions focused on racial equity are necessary.
BACKGROUND: Reports analyzing drug overdose (OD) mortality data during the COVID-19 pandemic are limited. Outcomes across states are heterogenous, necessitating assessments of associations between COVID-19 and OD deaths on a state-by-state level. This report aims to analyze trends in OD deaths in Massachusetts during COVID-19. METHODS: Analyzing 3,924 death records, we characterize opioid-, cocaine-, and amphetamine-involved OD mortality and substance co-presence trends from March 24-November 8 in 2020 as compared to 2018 and 2019. RESULTS: OD deaths involving amphetamines increased by 85% from 2019 to 2020 (61 vs. 113; P<0.001) but were steady from 2018 to 2019. Heroin's presence continued to decrease (341 in 2018, 247 in 2019, 157 in 2020; P<0.001); however, fentanyl was present in more than 85% of all OD deaths across all periods. Among OD deaths, alcohol involvement consistently increased, present in 250 deaths in 2018, 299 in 2019 (P=0.02), and 350 in 2020 (P=0.04). In 2019, 78% of OD decedents were White and 7% were Black, versus 73% and 10% in 2020 (P=0.02). CONCLUSION: Increased deaths involving stimulants, alcohol, and fentanyl reflect concerning trends in the era of COVID-19. Rising OD death rates among Black residents underscore that interventions focused on racial equity are necessary.
Authors: Magdalena Cerdá; Mohammad S Jalali; Ava D Hamilton; Catherine DiGennaro; Ayaz Hyder; Julian Santaella-Tenorio; Navdep Kaur; Christina Wang; Katherine M Keyes Journal: Epidemiol Rev Date: 2022-01-14 Impact factor: 6.222
Authors: Scott G Weiner; Aleta D Carroll; Nicholas M Brisbon; Claudia P Rodriguez; Charles Covahey; Erin J Stringfellow; Catherine DiGennaro; Mohammad S Jalali; Sarah E Wakeman Journal: J Subst Abuse Treat Date: 2022-04-30
Authors: Alexandria Macmadu; Sivakumar Batthala; Annice M Correia Gabel; Marti Rosenberg; Rik Ganguly; Jesse L Yedinak; Benjamin D Hallowell; Rachel P Scagos; Elizabeth A Samuels; Magdalena Cerdá; Kimberly Paull; Brandon D L Marshall Journal: JAMA Netw Open Date: 2021-09-01
Authors: Gian-Gabriel P Garcia; Erin J Stringfellow; Catherine DiGennaro; Nicole Poellinger; Jaden Wood; Sarah Wakeman; Mohammad S Jalali Journal: Ann Med Date: 2022-12 Impact factor: 5.348
Authors: Dennis P Watson; Monte D Staton; Christine E Grella; Christy K Scott; Michael L Dennis Journal: Subst Abuse Treat Prev Policy Date: 2022-03-18