Fatal overdoses decreased last year in Litchfield County

by Michael Carter

While Covid-19 has had the spotlight the past year, the opioid epidemic is unfortunately still here.

The Connecticut Department of Public Health reports the total confirmed cases of unintentional and undetermined drug overdose deaths for 2020 were up 15 percent statewide, from 1,200 fatalities in 2019 to 1,378 in 2020. But in Litchfield County, fatal overdoses decreased by 4 percent, from 73 residents to 70, making it the only county in the state to experience a decrease. 

Why do we continue to be overwhelmed by drug overdoses? 

The Litchfield Opiate County Task Force and other local agencies believe that the lack of understanding about trauma and adverse childhood experiences is a major factor driving addiction. Addiction and other behavioral issues are often consequences of unsettled trauma, which can result from adverse socioeconomic conditions. Issues like discrimination, poor housing and lack of economic mobility perpetuate traumatic events at home, in school or at work, which can trigger behaviors like alcohol and drug addiction that help people cope with the resulting anxiety.

Another significant reason for overdoses is the drastic degradation of the drugs in the illicit drug market. Bob Lawlor, a former police officer and current drug intelligence officer at the New England High Intensity Drug Trafficking Area, discussed this issue at the March meeting of the Litchfield County Opiate Task Force. Lawlor made it clear that no one involved with the illicit drug market can know exactly what is inside any drug they are buying or selling. The idea of a “pure” drug, if it ever existed, is certainly a fantasy today. Powerful cutting agents like fentanyl are now present in almost every batch of heroin, and other “classic” drugs like cocaine, causing massive spikes in overdoses. 

Members of the opiate task force believe that the solution to the state’s number of overdose deaths is not a harsh “crackdown on crime,” but instead greater support, access to care and the destigmatization of people using drugs. When asked, Lawlor said that the decriminalization of all drugs and possession is not out of the question. He feels that the decriminalization of drugs could decrease the demand for drugs by opening up possibilities for people to receive professional treatment to address their trauma and addiction instead of being arrested. The Connecticut Department of Public Health data for 2020 shows a glimmer of hope for the success of these progressive approaches. 

What enabled Litchfield County to decrease its fatal overdose rate in 2020? 

Simply training emergency medical services to better report overdoses has strengthened the opioid response. Sarah Toomey, of Greenwoods Referrals and Counseling Services, has been spearheading this effort. This work has sharpened different agencies’ ability to target where supplies need to be distributed and outreach needs increased. Toomey and others use this data to distribute Naloxone (Narcan), which can reverse the effects of a drug overdose.

The McCall Center for Behavioral Health in Torrington and Charlotte Hungerford Hospital are also making progress against the opioid crisis by providing treatment “on-demand.” Medicated Assisted Treatment (MAT) is being provided via McCall’s Mobile Wellness Van. Anyone interested in pursuing this first step of treatment can visit the van at one of its current locations, in Torrington on Wednesdays or Canaan on Thursdays, go through the intake process and be prescribed and administered Suboxone, used for medication-assisted therapy for opiate addiction, by McCall’s clinician. Charlotte Hungerford Hospital’s emergency department also offers same-day Suboxone treatment. 

In addition to Naloxone, the Litchfield County Opiate Task force has deployed five Harm Reduction “rovers” in Torrington, Winsted, Canaan and Waterbury. These rovers carry harm-reduction supplies like nasal and injectable Naloxone, wound-care supplies, clean syringes, safe sex supplies and Covid safety materials such as face masks. Rover attendants also provide referrals to treatment options and other community resources. This service is another avenue for people using drugs to make contact and build relationships with treatment providers.

Anyone with questions about these services or volunteer opportunities with the task force should contact the McCall Center.

Michael Carter is a ConnectiCorps volunteer at McCall, an AmeriCorps Program.