Council orders hearing on rising opioid overdose deaths among older Black residents

The Boston City Council on April 9 filed a hearing order to investigate increasing opioid-related overdose deaths among older Black residents, citing state and local public-health data showing sharp increases in mortality.

Councilor Brian Worrell and Councilor Ed Flynn co-filed the order and added co-sponsors, and councilors across the chamber described alarming statistics from the Massachusetts Department of Public Health and Boston Public Health Commission. Councilor Worrell cited data showing a 242% increase in overdose death rates among Black men over 55 from 2017 to 2023 and said local leaders and providers must respond with culturally competent, equity-based treatment and harm-reduction approaches.

Councilor Flynn described national and state trends and said fentanyl contamination across various substances is a major driver of the mortality increase. "Fentanyl was found in 93 percent of 2022 overdose deaths," Flynn said, summarizing public-health findings and stressing the urgency of prevention, treatment access, and culturally tailored services.

Councilors noted community-based providers and advocates already working in this space, including culturally specific behavioral-health centers and reentry programs. Several councilors described underreporting and stigma as barriers to care and urged long-term investment in equity-based services. Councilor Andrea Campbell (noted in discussion) and others supported a focused hearing to gather data, hear from city and state health officials, and identify interventions that work for older Black residents.

The clerk recorded docket 0858 as referred to the Committee on Public Health, Homelessness and Recovery. The committee is expected to schedule testimony from the Boston Public Health Commission, state public-health officials, and community-based providers serving the affected population.