In addition to ending a life tragically, a death by drug overdose profoundly affects surviving relatives and friends. Rising drug overdose deaths can reflect increasing rates of addiction, more potent and dangerous substances, inadequate systems to treat and support addicts, and other worrisome trends.

In 2020, MetroWest had an overdose mortality rate of nearly 23 deaths per 100,000 residents, representing 737 deaths that year. This was a bit lower than the statewide rate of 30, or 2,106 deaths across Massachusetts that year. The region's 2020 rate was a 183% increase compared to 2007, when it was 8 per 100,000 residents. This increase was slightly below the state level, which also rose substantially (by 200%). Both the region and statewide rates peaked in 2016 and declined slightly through 2019.

Among the region's counties, Worcester had the highest rate in 2020 (33 per 100,000) and also experienced the largest increase since 2007 (263%). The 2020 rates in Middlesex (18) and Norfolk (21) also represented substantial increases since 2007 (144% and 161%, respectively).

There was substantial variation in overdose mortality rates across the region. Rates were relatively high in Hudson (40), Marlborough (36) and Framingham (33). Rates were zero in Westwood, Sudbury, Southborough, Sherborn, Littleton, Lexington, Harvard, Carlisle and Dover.

Deaths may be accidental or intentional, or this information may be unknown.