Public health reports
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Public health reports · Nov 2019
The Contribution of Prescribed and Illicit Opioids to Fatal Overdoses in Massachusetts, 2013-2015.
Opioid-related overdoses are commonly attributed to prescription opioids. We examined data on opioid-related overdose decedents in Massachusetts. For each decedent, we determined which opioid medications had been prescribed and dispensed and which opioids were detected in postmortem medical examiner toxicology specimens. ⋯ Linking overdose toxicology reports to prescription drug monitoring program records can help attribute overdoses to prescribed opioids, diverted prescription opioids, heroin, and illicitly made fentanyl.