Rhode Island health officials are warning the public after a spike in non-fatal drug overdoses last week surpassed a statewide threshold for the first time since 2023.
The Rhode Island Department of Health reported 55 people received care at emergency departments for suspected drug overdoses between March 10 and March 16 — exceeding the state’s weekly alert threshold and significantly above the 2026 weekly average of 41.
The department’s Overdose Spike Alert System, which monitors weekly overdose activity across 11 regions statewide, triggered alerts for both the state as a whole and for Region 1, which covers Burrillville, Foster, Glocester and Scituate. Region 1 exceeded its threshold for the second consecutive week.
When a threshold is crossed, RIDOH notifies municipal leaders, public safety and healthcare professionals, community organizations and other stakeholders so they can deploy additional resources and prepare to respond.
Officials noted that fentanyl continues to be detected in stimulants such as cocaine and crack cocaine, as well as counterfeit pills — putting people who use stimulants at heightened risk of opioid overdose, particularly those with lower opioid tolerance.
The alert comes despite encouraging longer-term trends. Overdose fatalities in Rhode Island dropped approximately 33% during the first eight months of 2025 compared to the same period in 2024. Still, hundreds of Rhode Islanders die from drug overdoses each year.
Health officials are urging residents to carry naloxone, the overdose reversal medication, which is available at no cost through Prevent Overdose RI. Rhode Islanders can also access 24/7 behavioral health resources including the 988 Lifeline, the BH Link Walk-In Triage Center and the Rhode Island Buprenorphine Hotline at 401-606-5456.
For more information, visit RIDOH’s Opioid and Stimulant Use Data Hub or PreventOverdoseRI.org.