Worcester Panel Hears Opioid Deaths Fell 65 Percent

Other Committee 2026-09-28 Part 2 · Meeting of September 28, 2026

Worcester health chief reports opioid deaths down 65 percent amid $14 million settlement windfall. Health and Human Services Commissioner Seema Dixie told the Worcester Senior Center Committee the city will receive roughly $14 million between 2023 and 2039 from a pharmaceutical settlement, funding harm-reduction work behind Worcester's steeper-than-state decline in overdose deaths. Dixie said homelessness is rising among seniors, with the city targeting a winter shelter opening by late November, and that MassHealth's more frequent eligibility redeterminations will likely strip coverage from residents who don't respond to renewal mail.

The committee's own report, delivered by senior center supervisor Amy, detailed over $70,000 in annual rental income, a 250-subscriber newsletter gain and an extended discussion of elder fraud, including a resident recently scammed out of $5,000 by police impersonators. "They really want to believe this, and they know they prey on these emotions," Amy said of scammers. Minutes from June 15 and the committee's September 8 report were both approved unanimously.

In the full story:

• Who Was There
• Organizations And Documents Referenced
• The complete report — 2,582 words

Source: the Other Committee 2026-09-28 Part 2 meeting of September 28, 2026, reported from the official video recording and transcript.