A recent article published by the New Hampshire Journal and authored by Damien Fisher examined the recent decline in opioid overdose deaths in the state, while warning that rising methamphetamine use poses a continuing and evolving public-health threat. According to Chris Stawasz, regional director for American Medical Response (AMR), the number of overdose-related deaths in Manchester and Nashua in 2025 was the lowest in the past decade. This tendency has been attributed to border control and prevention of influx of illicit drugs into the U.S., the availability of Narcan, and the overall trend in declining opioid use across the U.S. for the past few years.
Specifically, Stawasz said there were 372 cases of opioid-related overdoses in 2025 (a 30% drop from 2024 and a 54% decline over two years) in Manchester, while 155 overdose deaths were recorded in Nashua (down 16% from 2024 and 35% since 2023). “While that progress deserves recognition, it is equally important to acknowledge the real, ongoing, life-altering substance misuse challenges that still claim lives across our state virtually every day,” Stawasz said.
Elected in 2023, Manchester Mayor Jay Ruais identified combating drug abuse and homelessness as key priorities, noting that the data suggest sustained inter-agency collaboration in the Queen City is having a meaningful impact. “As a person in long-term recovery, I know that every life lost is a tragedy,” Ruais said. “We are blessed to have so many committed partners — AMR, the Manchester Health Department, the Fire Department, the Police Department, and others — leading the fight against addiction.”
However, Erin Creegan, who became interim U.S. Attorney in August, warned that despite progress in disrupting drug supply and supporting recovery, some users are shifting to methamphetamine, which is cheaper and less likely to cause immediate overdose, making its rise harder to detect. “I wish I could say it’s all good,” said Creegan in an interview. “We are interdicting a lot of the opioid supply, but unfortunately, part of the news is negative. It’s a resurgence of meth.”
New Hampshire law enforcement officials have reported that a significant portion of the methamphetamines entering New Hampshire is trafficked by gangs based in Massachusetts and is linked to severe addiction, psychosis, violence, and officer-involved shootings. Creegan added that although gains against opioids through interdiction and drug courts are real, continued vigilance is needed as drug use patterns evolve.
