Overdose numbers in Manchester, Nashua 'significantly below' last year, AMR reports

Jun. 10—Through the first five months of 2024, the number of suspected opioid overdoses in the state's two largest cities continues to remain significantly below last year, American Medical Response (AMR) medics reported Monday.

AMR medics responded to a total of 64 suspected opioid overdoses in Nashua and Manchester in May — 54 in the Queen City and 10 in the Gate City.

Three of those calls were suspected opioid overdose deaths — all in Manchester. There were no suspected opioid overdose deaths reported in Nashua in May.

Manchester is on track to have 29% fewer suspected opioid overdoses this year than last year and 14% fewer deaths, reported Chris Stawasz, regional director for AMR.

Nashua is on track to have 25% fewer suspected opioid overdoses this year than last and 36% fewer deaths.

"If those numbers hold true for the remainder of the year, they would be some of the lowest overall annual numbers since AMR began tracking opioid statistics in 2015," Stawasz said in an email. "Please keep in mind that due to the nature of the opioid epidemic and its clear history of unpredictability, it is always possible that this trend could quickly change. It is not uncommon to see new varieties of illicit poly substances appear without warning.

"Many can be deadly or require alternative approaches to successful life saving treatment."

In a statement, Manchester Mayor Jay Ruais called the latest numbers "very hopeful."

"As a person in recovery, I know that addiction is a very challenging issue and one life lost is too many," Ruais said. "While this is one month of data, I'm encouraged by the continued trend line showing we are on track to have 29% fewer suspected opioid overdoses and 14% fewer fatalities this year over last. This is an incredibly positive update, particularly if these numbers continue to hold."

Six percent of suspected opioid overdoses in Manchester in May — or three of the 54 total — were fatal, AMR reports.

According to AMR, of the 318 suspected opioid overdoses reported through May 31 in both Manchester and Nashua, 34% occurred in a home or residence, 27% happened in a public building or area and 21% were in vehicles or in a roadway. Two percent occurred in a jail or prison. Four percent occurred in a hotel or motel.

In 35% of the overdoses, a bystander or member of the public administered Narcan before EMS personnel arrived.

Overall, 46% of those involved in suspected opioid overdoses gave no fixed address or said they were homeless; 20% gave a home address in Manchester, and 16% said Nashua.

Of the 318 suspected overdoses in both cities, 74% involved males, 26% females. The majority of overdose victims, 70%, were Caucasian.

Eighty-nine percent of overdose response calls involved a first encounter with an individual and 11% involved repeat encounters.

The number of fatal overdoses in the two cities dropped 20% last year compared with 2022, AMR medics reported.

AMR medics responded to a total of 924 suspected opioid overdoses in Nashua and Manchester in 2023 — 697 in the Queen City and 227 in the Gate City. That's a 2% reduction, down from 944 in 2022.

Ninety-nine of those calls involved fatal overdoses, 60 in Manchester and 39 in Nashua, a 20% drop (down from 123) in 2022.

Looking at city-specific numbers, in Manchester the number of suspected opioid overdoses year over year was down 1% (697 compared with 701 in 2022), while fatal overdoses were 24% lower (60 versus 79). Eight percent of all suspected opioid overdoses in Manchester last year were fatal, according to AMR.

In Nashua, the overall number of overdoses were down 7%, 227 in 2023 versus 243 in 2022, with fatal overdoses down 11% (39, down from 44).

Seventeen percent of all suspected opioid overdoses in Nashua resulted in fatalities.

In New Hampshire, anyone can seek substance use disorder treatment by accessing the NH Doorway program 24/7. To access the NH Doorway program, call 211 at any time of the day or night, or visit www.thedoorway.nh.gov.

If you believe someone is overdosing, call 911 immediately.