Substance Use and Overdose Data

Narrative reports updated as of May 2026 with 2024 data. For the most up to date data, please view our Community Profile dashboard. Previous reports can be found in our archive. 

• Massachusetts 2024 Opioid Overdose Report (PDF): This report provides an update on the state of the opioid overdose crisis in Massachusetts. It reviews trends in fatal and nonfatal opioid overdoses, opioid overdose risk factors and the drug supply, and opioid overdose-related service utilization. 
• SUDORS Summary of Unintentional and Undetermined Intent Drug Overdose Deaths in Massachusetts – 2024: This multi-page infographic summarizes the unintentional and undetermined intent drug overdoses that occurred in Massachusetts in 2024, as documented by the State Unintentional Drug Overdose Reporting System (SUDORS). Note, this infographic includes all unintentional overdose deaths, not just those that are opioid-involved. 

• Bureau of Substance Addiction Services Dashboard: This dashboard provides city/town, county, and state level data on substance-related deaths, emergency events, and substance use services.
• Prescription Monitoring Program: This dashboard shares selected data collected from pharmacies in Massachusetts. It includes these categories of controlled substances prescription medications: Opioid Agonists, Benzodiazepines, Stimulants, Opioid Partial Agonists.
• Schedule II Opioid Prescription Data: This dashboard presents data on individuals receiving Schedule II opioid prescriptions, number of Schedule II opioid prescriptions and solid quantities dispensed, and Individuals with activity of concern. Data can be filtered by county and quarter from 2017 onward and compared to the state.
• Opioid-Related EMS Incidents: This dashboard provides a granular look at opioid-related incidents reported by EMS. It documents all opioid-related emergency medical service events in Massachusetts, defined as 911 calls in which opioids are involved. Not all events are clinical overdoses and not all are nonfatal.
• Drug Checking Data: This dashboard shows data on the presence of different substances found in drug samples tested by Brandeis University’s Massachusetts Drug Supply Data Stream, including both Xylazine and Fentanyl.

• End of the Pilot Program Era (PDF | DOCX) 
  This report summarizes over 10 years of harm reduction data collected by Massachusetts Overdose Education and Naloxone Distribution programs.
• Overdose Prevention Research Summit: In September 2024, the Department of Public Health and Brandeis University co-hosted a Research Summit for Massachusetts researchers and policymakers in the field. A summary report and key recommendations can be found on Brandeis' website.
• Data Brief- Characteristics of Non-Fatal Overdose among MA residents 2013-2021 (PDF) | (DOCX): This data brief focuses on the surveillance of non-fatal opioid overdoses where medical treatment was sought by EMS and/or in the hospital.
• Stimulant-Related Data among Massachusetts Residents: This report focuses on the increase in use of healthcare services, overdoses, and deaths involving stimulants. This report provides a baseline picture of stimulant-related overdoses based on data from three sources: death certificates, Emergency Medical Services, and Emergency Departments.
• Touchpoints – Opportunities to predict and prevent opioid overdose: This study finds eight candidate touchpoints that were associated with increased risk of fatal opioid overdose. A “touchpoint” is an opportunity to identify individuals at high-risk of opioid overdose death in order to deliver harm-reduction services to them and engage them in evidence-based treatment.
• Stimulants, health disparities, and the impact of the opioid epidemic on maternal health and high-risk populations: This data brief focuses on health disparities and the impact of the opioid epidemic on maternal health and high-risk populations. These analyses were conducted by academic researchers and public policy analysts in collaboration with DPH.
• Geographic Access to Community-Based Opioid Treatment Programs (OTPs) in Massachusetts - Report Addendums: These addendums build on a previous community-based OTP access assessment conducted by Tufts University in collaboration with the Massachusetts Department of Public Health. They identify optimal placement for new OTPs.
  • OTP Access Boston Addendum (DOCX) (revised April 2026)
  • OTP Access Western Massachusetts Addendum (DOCX) (revised April 2026)
  • OTP Access Worcester Addendum (DOCX) (revised April 2026) 

If you would like to request additional information about substance use treatment statistics, contact the Bureau of Substance Addiction Services Office of Statistics and Evaluation at DataRequests.BSAS@MassMail.state.ma.us or fill out our data request form.