BURLINGTON, Vt. (AP) - Vermont health officials say opioid-related deaths in the state’s most populous county dropped 50 percent from 2017 to 2018.
The state Department of Health said Thursday there were 17 overdose deaths in Chittenden County in 2018, compared to 34 deaths the previous year.
Burlington Mayor Miro Weinberger attributes the decrease to the region’s support of medication-assisted treatment and collaboration between police, hospitals and the Chittenden County Opioid Alliance.
Chittenden County State’s Attorney Sarah George says Burlington police have promised not to arrest those with buprenorphine, a medication used to help reduce opioid withdrawal symptoms.
Weinberger says he hopes their work can be replicated in other regions with similar success.
The opioid overdose death rate rose 36 percent last year outside of Chittenden County.
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