| The number of accidental opioid deaths increased by 10% in Vermont in 2022 (239) from 2021 (217). They have more than doubled since 2019 (114), the Journal-Opinion daily newsletter reports. The findings were published yesterday in a report (pdf) by the Vermont Department of Health. While Fentanyl was involved in 93% of 2022’s fatal overdoses, the muscle relaxant gabapentin and xylazine, a veterinary drug, are increasingly present. Officials warn Narcan may not be as effective in reversing overdoses when gabapentin and xylazine are present. There were 13 opioid-related overdose deaths in Caledonia County and 10 in Orange County in 2022 up from one in each county in 2010. The total number of opioid and non-opioid overdose deaths in Vermont have skyrocketed (see figure below) since 2010. |
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