EAST PROVIDENCE, R.I. (WPRI) — For the first time in four years, Rhode Island has seen a decrease in deadly overdoses, state leaders announced Wednesday.

Year-end fatal overdose data released by the R.I. Department of Health showed the state had a 7.3% decline in overdose deaths in 2023.

According to the data, 404 people in Rhode Island lost their lives to an accidental overdose last year, compared to 436 in 2022.

Health officials said opioids like fentanyl continued to drive the numbers up. The data shows that 85% of last year’s overdoses involved any opioid, while 78% involved fentanyl specifically.

These cities had the highest rates of fatal overdoses in 2023, according to the data:

• Woonsocket (67.4 overdose deaths per 100,000 people)
• Providence (53.3 per 100,000)
• Pawtucket (46.6 per 100,000)
• East Providence (31.9 per 100,000)
• Cranston (31.5 per 100,000
• Warwick (24.1 per 100,000)

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

In 2022, the McKee administration created the Overdose Prevention and Intervention Task Force in hopes of preventing overdoses and improving treatment and recovery.

Some of its efforts include securing funding for programs, adding beds to treatment facilities and setting up naloxone supply centers. Nearly 50,000 naloxone kits were distributed last year, according to the task force.

A number of resources are available to anyone struggling with addiction. For those in need of immediate help, call or text 988 to speak with a trained crisis counselor.

Visit PreventOverdoseRI.org to learn more about the resources available.

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