Having lost a child to an opioid overdose death, it comes as no surprise to Newtown Parent Connection Founder Dorrie Carolan that this state’s health department says Connecticut residents are more likely to die from unintentional drug overdose than a motor vehicle accident.

According to the DPH, the majority of these deaths are linked to overdose of prescription opioid painkillers and illicit opioids. That maddening statistic is further affirmed by the CDC, which most recently reported the 2020 Connecticut age-adjusted rate for drug-induced mortality was 39.1 per 100,000 population.

Compared to the 2020 national rate of 28.3, it’s clear that our state has an embedded, long-term issue addressing opioid addiction and its resulting mortality rates.

But thanks to the countless tireless efforts from organizations including Newtown Prevention Council, the local health district, Newtown Police Department, and Carolan — who has since been called to expand on the substance abuse prevention and support services that have served local individuals and families so effectively — there is some positive news and a promise of hope on the horizon.

Just days ago, the Connecticut Department of Public Health released its latest Drug Overdose Report. The report makes note that there were 1,531 confirmed deaths for 2021 with an increase of 11.4 percent compared to the previous year, (1,374). But preliminary data from 2022 suggests a decrease in drug overdose deaths by 4.7 percent.

While this snapshot of tragedy narrowly averted for fewer opioid users may be cause for some optimism, the report does also isolate some other significant and disturbing points:

*In 2022, the mortality rate was highest for non-Hispanic Black populations and for 35-44-year-olds, with males outpacing females roughly 2 to 1;

*The number of decedents who died at a residence (either their own or someone else’s) is up from 60 percent in 2021 to 63 percent last year;

*The number of deaths involving the animal tranquilizer xylazine in combination with fentanyl increased from 295 in 2021 to 353 in 2022, with 18 already reported in January and February of this year; and

*Deaths from para-fluorofentanyl, a fentanyl analog, continue to occur with 32 in 2022 and three already in 2023.

Following a weather-related postponement, concerned residents can come and get a good idea of what’s happening locally when the recently rebranded Connecticut Parent Connection presents a free public panel discussion on substance abuse and addiction at Newtown Congregational Church at 7 pm Tuesday, March 28. See our print and online calendars for details including the speakers, who have all made room in their schedules for the new date of this important program.

In the meantime, let us all hope and pray that the work being done to drive overdose deaths down continues to show positive results, so fewer Newtown families are faced with the grim news that someone they love has fallen victim to this insidious poison.

Bee Marks Women’s History Month Announcing Co-Publishers

As Women’s History Month continues, we’re making a little history at your hometown newspaper and hyperlocal media source.

The Newtown Bee proudly announces the appointment of Helen Smith and her daughter, Sherri Smith Baggett, as the newspaper’s co-publishers following the passing of our longtime Publisher R. Scudder Smith on August 14, 2022.

This transition marks the first time in the Newtown Bee’s 146-year history — and since the Smith family assumed ownership in 1881 — that not one, but two women will share publisher responsibilities.