By the numbers: A look at substance related deaths as new Massachusetts law helps to prevent overdos

The opioid epidemic has plagued the Bay state for decades, but new statistics show the deaths are slowing down. >> 22 News state house reporter Olivia Ray spoke to a local lawmaker leading the charge for harm reduction legislation. >> Just in time for opioid overdose awareness day this weekend, Massachusetts opioid related death statistics are finally trending down. Last year, the state legislature passed a law expanding access to harm reduction and recovery resources. In fiscal year 2024, there were 1,840 opioid related deaths in the Bay State, down 23% from fiscal year 2023's 24,47 opioid related deaths. Westfield Senator John Visas is on several drugrelated commissions at the state house and he says we need to focus on keeping those who use drugs safe and alive >> with harm reduction as part of that. Those strategies, those investments appear to be working in the Commonwealth of Massachusetts. >> Senator Vis says he is cautiously optimistic about these numbers as contamination in the fentinel supply is on the rise. He says the state needs to continue to fund harm reduction like expanding access to Narcan and inpatient treatment beds to make sure those who are ready to recover have the resources to do so. >> I think it's a really good day. We can certainly not take our foot off the gas, but it's enough for us to sit back and say, "Okay, redouble down on some of these efforts." According to Velis, the next step for municipalities is to invest their opioid settlement funds in resources to support members of their communities in addiction. This legislative session, lawmakers are continuing to expand access to resources for those in active addiction and plan to address contamination in the drug supply. Working for you from the state house in Boston, I'm Olivia Ray, 22 News.