R.I. Health Department warns of spike in non-fatal opioid overdoses in Providence

A station for Naloxone, also known by the brand name Narcan, is shown outside the East Bay Recovery Center in Warren in March 2024. (Alexander Castro/Rhode Island Current)

Nearly two dozen people received emergency medical services in Providence for suspected opioid overdoses in the last week, prompting the state health department to issue a warning to residents and providers.

The overdose spike alert sent by the Rhode Island Department of Health Thursday is part of the state’s standard communications plan when suspected, non-fatal drug overdoses top a maximum threshold. The outreach aims to help residents, officials, health care providers and first responders prepare for, and ideally prevent, what could be a prolonged period of higher-than-average overdoses, potentially due to contaminated drug supplies.

In Providence, 22 people were treated in emergency medical settings for suspected opioid overdoses in the seven days that ended on July 24, the health department said. That’s just above the 21-person maximum considered within a normal range for one week.

Providence has been at the epicenter of state overdose-related fatalities, with nearly double the statewide rate over the last six months of 191 fatal overdoses per 100,000 residents, according to health department data.

The warning comes on the heels of newly available state metrics on fatal overdoses in 2023, which fell 7.3% from the prior year, marking the first decline in drug-induced fatalities in four years. Of the 404 drug-related fatalities in 2023, 85% involved opioids.

Providence had the second highest-rate of fatal overdoses in 2023, following Woonsocket, with a disproportionate percentage of deaths among Black and Hispanic residents.

Accidental overdose deaths in R.I. down 7.3% in 2023, marking first decline in four years

Demographic information on the recent, non-fatal opioid overdoses was not available. If non-fatal overdoses in the capital city continue to exceed predetermined maximums, the state will take additional measures including targeted text messages to area residents and an emergency meeting of community stakeholders.

For more information on how to spot and respond to an overdose, including ordering free naloxone and fentanyl test strips, as well as safer drug use resources, visit preventoverdoseri.com .

For immediate emergency assistance, call or text 988 or visit 988lifeline.org to connect with a trained crisis counselor through the 988 Suicide & Crisis Lifeline.

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