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Mass. overdose deaths dropped 11% in 2023, according to CDC data
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The Celtics are officially headed to the Eastern Conference Finals. (Was there ever a doubt?) While we wait for the Knicks and Pacers to determine who the Celtics will play, let’s get to the news:
For the first time in four years, Massachusetts saw a decline in overdose deaths in 2023 — and a significant one at that. WBUR’s Martha Bebinger reports that overdose deaths in the state dropped 11% to 2,384, based on preliminary numbers from the Centers for Disease Control. Deirdre Calvert, the head of state Public Health Department’s addiction services bureau, credits the widespread distribution of naloxone and fentanyl test strips, as well mobile treatment programs and housing.
- Zoom out: U.S. drug deaths fell by 3% to 107,543 in 2023. While that’s the first national drop in five years, officials say the toll remains at “crisis” levels due to synthetic drugs like fentanyl.
- Now what? Calvert says the high numbers support the need for overdose prevention centers — also known as supervised consumption sites. DPH officials have been calling for legislation to ease state restrictions on opening the centers. “We need every tool available at our means,” Calvert told Martha. “Overdose prevention centers are not going to be the tool that ends overdoses, but it’s going to be a very effective, needed tool to prevent overdose deaths.”
On Beacon Hill: Mayor Michelle Wu’s hopes for a real estate transfer tax in Boston just got a little dimmer. Massachusetts House Speaker Ron Mariano told reporters yesterday the proposal to let individual cities and towns impose fees between 0.5% and 2% on a portion of higher-end real estate sales is “not as popular” among fellow members as he thought. As State House News Service reports, the tax was included in Gov. Maura Healey’s larger housing bond bill — and disagreement over the tax may be holding up the whole bill.
- Zoom out: At least 10 cities and towns, including Boston, have sent home rule petitions to the Legislature asking for the ability to launch their own real estate transfer fees. (None of them have been approved.)
- Meanwhile: Hundreds of people rallied yesterday on Boston Common in support of bills to increase the minimum wage and end the statewide ban on rent control.
Mark your calendar: Itching to see new Patriots quarterback Drake Maye — or at least Jacoby Brissett — at Gillette Stadium this fall? The NFL unveiled the schedule for the 2024 season last night. You can check out the full Pats schedule here (as well as the team’s “Good Will Hunting” schedule release parody). Here are three things to know:
- The Pats and new coach Jerod Mayo will begin 2024 with a Sept. 8 away game against the Cincinnati Bengals.
- After a last place finish in the AFC East, the Pats only have one primetime night game on the schedule. It’s a Week 3 Thursday game on Sept. 19 against the New York Jets.
- There’s another overseas trip following last year’s Germany game — this time in London. The Pats will play the Jacksonville Jaguars at Wembley Stadium on Oct. 20.
On the Esplanade: The Boston Pops are out with the lineup for their 50th annual Fourth of July concert at the Hatch Shell this summer. Conductor Keith Lockhart says they’re trying to make it “as diverse a lineup as possible” for the hundreds of thousands of people watching both along the Charles River and on TV.
- So, who will join them? Special guests include R&B legend Darlene Love, Broadway singer Kelli O’Hara, The Mavericks (the country band, not the basketball team) and a U.S. Army chorus.
New on Mass. Ave: Lexington unveiled a new monument yesterday honoring women who shaped the town’s history. The bronze “Something is Being Done” sculpture recognizes more than 20 women of different races and ages dating back to the American Revolution.
- See for yourself: The monument is located on the Lexington Visitors Center’s lawn. Check out photos of its unveiling here.
P.S.— Beyond All Repair fans, we have a special event coming for you. On Point‘s Meghna Chakrabarti will sit down with Beyond All Repair host Amory Sivertson at CitySpace on June 20 for a conversation on how the hit true crime podcast was made. They’ll also take your questions about the case and the podcast. Get your tickets here.
