Manchester opioid overdoses and overdose deaths decreasing
Most of New Hampshire saw opioid overdoses continue to rise
January 3, 2019 — This morning, Mayor Joyce Craig praised American Medical Response’s (AMR) recent report that opioid overdoses and opioid overdose deaths are decreasing in the City of Manchester. “This is the first time Manchester has seen a decrease in opioid overdoses since this epidemic began,” said Mayor Joyce Craig. “In the last year, we have worked to develop a new system of care for those seeking help from substance use disorder. I believe strong partnerships and the success of our Safe Station program can directly be attributed to Manchester’s decreasing opioid overdose rate. Unlike Manchester, opioid overdoses across New Hampshire are continuing to rise. There’s still much more we need to do, but this is a positive step in working to eliminate opioid overdoses in our city.” Since its inception, the Safe Station program in Manchester has seen 4,837 people come into local fire stations. However, by developing a new system of care in 2018, the average time it takes to get an individual into treatment through Manchester Safe Station decreased from two to three weeks to two to three days. It takes an average of nine minutes to get an individual through Manchester’s Safe Station access point. As a result of Manchester’s Treatment and Recovery Network developed in 2018, individuals seeking help through Safe Station are screened for multiple needs, including homelessness, mental health issues, substance use disorder. Once needs are assessed, individuals are connected to various organizations to get them the help they need. “There are many people who make our system of care work,” added Mayor Craig. “The Manchester Fire Department, the Manchester Police Department, AMR, Granite Pathways, the Farnum Center, Elliot Hospital, Catholic Medical Center, the Mental Health Center of Greater Manchester, Makin’ It Happen, Families in Transition – New Horizons, Granite United Way, the New Hampshire Charitable Foundation and others have continued to work with the city to develop a system that is saving lives.” Link to detailed graphic.
Lauren Smith
Policy and Strategic Outreach Director
Office of the Mayor
