Dozens Still Dying From Opioid Overdoses in N.H. City

Oct. 21--MANCHESTER -- As of Tuesday, 81 people have died in the city this year from suspected drug overdoses, according to the latest statistics released by the Manchester Fire Department.

A total of 639 people have overdosed so far and the lives of 460 of them were saved by emergency responders and others administering Narcan, which was found at the scene in 16 cases.

The youngest to die was 22 and the oldest, 57.

The overdoses have happened in every part of the city with the main downtown fire station, along with the Amory and Somerville streets stations, handling the vast majority of 911 calls.

The victims have been found in hotels, public buildings, restaurants and parked cars. Some have even overdosed while driving.

Still, with all those dire statistics emergency responders believe they are making progress.

"We feel like we're making headway, but the numbers don't necessarily reflect that," said Assistant Fire Chief Richard McGahey. "That sounds strange but, to me we are getting somewhere."

In August, there were 48 overdoses and eight deaths, down from last August when there were 69 overdoses and six deaths. In September, there were 63 overdoses and five deaths compared to 102 overdoses and 10 deaths in 2015.

So far this month, firefighters responded to 42 overdoses that claimed four lives. Last October, there were 55 overdoses and eight deaths. There was a fifth overdose death in October but it was an intentional suicide by methadone, according to City Director of Emergency Services Christopher Hickey.

When it comes to the number of fatal overdoses, however, there is no pattern. McGahey pointed out that in February -- the shortest month of the year -- there were 62 overdoses and 14 fatalities, the most in a single month in the city.

"There is no rhyme, no reason as to how all this happens," he said. "It's really baffling to see how it goes."

Last July, there were 81 overdoses and 10 deaths; in July 2015, 69 people overdosed, resulting in five deaths or 50 percent fewer fatalities than this year.

Last year, 106 people died from drug overdoses in the city. If the numbers hold true, the city could see about 10 fewer deaths this year.

On May 4, the city opened "safe stations," where people with substance abuse can seek help. In the five months since, 606 people sought help; 51 were taken to hospitals; 347 were taken to HOPE for NH; 214 went to Serenity Place.

Of those seeking help, 503 were new participants and 115 were repeats. Ages ranged from 18 to 69.

The vast majority of people seeking help at the safe stations are from Manchester -- 253 residents.

Residents from other communities also have sought help in the city, with 30 coming from Nashua; 10 each from Concord, Derry, Hooksett and Laconia; and nine each from Londonderry and Rochester. Thirteen people came from Massachusetts, and one each came from Birmingham, Ala., and Meriden, Conn.

"Things are better in the mindset of our crews, though," Hickey said. "They really do feel like Safe Station and Granite Hammer are finally starting to show some results and the overdoses they respond to, in their eyes and minds, appear to be going down. In essence this is true. As with everything unpredictable in this effort, it all remains to be seen."

Hickey said what he finds troubling is this month some of those revived have reported using fentanyl.

"This, to me, means that they are seeking it out now instead of being caught off guard by the potent drugs," Hickey said in his report. "When the shift happens, we are naturally going to see an increase in overdoses despite our best efforts, as it will take less of the drug than normal for users to overdose on."

Fire officials also are bracing for "new" opiates that are taking a toll in other parts of the country -- Ohio, Florida and out west -- including purer forms of fentanyl; possibly carfentanil, heroin laced with elephant tranquilizers that are 100 times more potent than fentanyl, which has turned up in Rhode Island and Maine; and U-44770, a/k/a "Pink" which can be bought on the internet and is eight times more powerful than heroin. The New Hampshire Office of the Medical Examiner has documented at least one case of it in the state.

pgrossmith@unionleader.com

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