According to American Medical Response, medics dealt with 48 suspected opioid overdoses in Manchester and Nashua in January, including six suspected deaths. The total shows a modest rise from recent low points, though it continues to hover near the rolling twelve-month average.
In Manchester alone, 35 overdoses were reported, five of them fatal. Nashua saw 13 cases with one suspected death. “Overall, the trend continues in the right direction,” said Chris Stawasz, warning that opioid patterns can shift quickly and without much notice.
In January, Manchester saw 35 suspected opioid overdoses, and five of those were fatal. Nashua recorded 13 suspected overdoses with one death. Altogether, the two cities reached 48 emergency responses, based on data shared by American Medical Response.
AMR noted that the combined figure is slightly above recent record lows, yet it still stays close to the rolling twelve-month average. Fatal cases also edged above the average. The data points to normal fluctuation, not a dramatic shift.
“These numbers can shift quickly,” said Chris Stawasz, AMR’s northeast regional director. He explained that opioid trends do not follow a straight path, even during periods when overall progress appears steady and encouraging.
Data from Manchester reveal that 43% of suspected overdoses in January occurred inside shelters. That concentration is significant. It reflects how people facing housing instability are often at higher risk, and that reality shows up clearly in the numbers.
The average person who overdosed was 47 years old. This is not only a youth issue. Men accounted for 69% of incidents, while women made up 31%, showing a noticeable difference in how the crisis affects each group.
Narcan was given in 38% of responses, and that detail matters. It suggests many lives were saved because someone acted quickly. Emergency crews remain a key barrier between overdose and death, particularly in high-risk housing settings.
According to health officials, short-term increases do not automatically point to a long-term change. The opioid crisis has shown how quickly statistics can climb or drop. That kind of movement creates real challenges for emergency crews and treatment providers trying to plan ahead.
Chris Stawasz from AMR noted that unpredictability has always been part of this epidemic. Improvements can reverse faster than expected. Even when overall trends seem calm and steady, he said, a single month can tell a very different story.
Officials continue to emphasize that steady prevention, rapid response, and open pathways to treatment are essential regardless of shifting numbers. They highlight the NH Doorway Program, which people can reach by calling 211, as an important and accessible source of help.
Across New Hampshire, people continue to disagree about the best response to opioid trends. One side leans toward stricter enforcement. Another supports broader treatment access and outreach programs. Health officials say the two approaches should support each other, not pull in opposite directions.
According to state leaders, upcoming data will help determine if current shifts are brief fluctuations or something more sustained. While waiting for clearer patterns, experts stress the importance of consistent funding, reliable tracking, and community collaboration to limit avoidable loss of life.