Massachusetts Governor Deval Patrick declared a public health
emergency today in response to the state's growing problem with heroin
and other opiod addictions.
"At least 140 people died of suspected overdoses over the last months
in Massachusetts . Levels previously unseen."
Patrick's public health commissioner will take emergency steps by
making overdose antidote Narcan more widely available to police
departments and relatives and friends of users. Also, the state will
ban the new painkiller Zohydro, which is 10 times more potent than
Vicodin.
The Governor will also dedicate an additional $20 million to be
used in prevention or treatment programs.
State health officials say the number of heroin related deaths increased 90 percent from 2000 to 2012. They say there are several
possible reasons for the spike. A more potent strain of heroin may
have entered Massachusetts and dealers could be cutting the drug with
chemicals that make the drug more toxic.
