A report for the state is showing opioid-related deaths in Massachusetts rose by almost nie-percent last year compared to 2020. Department of public health data released says 79 of these deaths were in Barnstable. To compare, just a decade ago in 2011 Barnstable saw 19 deaths. Department officials say the pandemic and it's impact on mental health led to the rise in substance abuse. Fentanyl was also found to be a driving force behind the crisis as it was in the toxicology report of 93-percent of opioid deaths in the state.
Photo: Getty Images