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2021 was the deadliest year yet for Vermont opioid overdose deaths. These people saw it firsthand

New research shows racial disparities in opioid overdose rates, with the rate of deaths among Blacks growing faster than other racial and ethnic groups.
New research shows racial disparities in opioid overdose rates, with the rate of deaths among Blacks growing faster than other racial and ethnic groups.

Live call-in discussion: Opioid addiction and deaths spiked across the country during the pandemic, including from a record number of Vermonters. In all, the state Department of Health reported 210 Vermonters died from opioid overdose deaths in 2021. This hour, we'll hear from Vermonters who have experienced opioid addiction and who are working with people in recovery.

A graph showing fatal overdoses from fentanyl, heroin and prescription opioids in Vermont from 2010 through 2021.
Vermont Dept. of Health
The latest data from the Vermont Dept. of Health for fatal opioid overdoses shows a soaring number of deaths from fentanyl, even as heroin overdoses decline.

Our guests are:

Broadcast live at noon on Tuesday, April 12, 2022; rebroadcast at 7 p.m.

Have questions, comments or tips? Send us a message or tweet us @vermontedition.

Mikaela Lefrak is the host and senior producer of Vermont Edition. Her stories have aired nationally on Morning Edition, All Things Considered, Weekend Edition, Marketplace, The World and Here & Now. A seasoned local reporter, Mikaela has won two regional Edward R. Murrow awards and a Public Media Journalists Association award for her work.
Matt Smith worked for Vermont Public from 2017 to 2023 as managing editor and senior producer of Vermont Edition.