Below are charts of suspected opioid OD statistics for Nashua & Manchester for February 2026. I have also included updated charts of EMS responses to the three shelters for the unhoused in Manchester, which look at the number of suspected opioid ODs and overall EMS demand that occur at those locations.
AMR medics responded to a total of 46 suspected opioid ODs in Nashua and Manchester during February 2026; 32 in Manchester and 14 in Nashua.
Five of the suspected opioid ODs in February were deaths; 3 of the suspected deaths were reported in Nashua and 2 were reported in Manchester.
February’s opioid OD response numbers were notable for several reasons.
- 63% of the patients encountered in Manchester during February had received bystander administered Narcan prior to the arrival of First Responders. That is by far the largest percentage in a single month since we began tracking bystander reported Narcan administration in 2016.
- A significant percentage (39%) of the total suspected opioid ODs that occurred in Manchester thus far in 2026 have occurred at an unhoused persons shelter location.
The 46 suspected opioid ODs in February were 2% higher than the rolling 12-month average of 45. The fatality percentage was 11% for the month, which matches the current rolling 12-month average.
Please remember that with only 2 full months of data, the 2026 annual projection numbers generated on the charts still have limited data on which to project a full year.
MANCHESTER FEBRUARY 2026
- Suspected opioid ODs – 32
- Suspected fatal opioid ODs – 2
- 6% of the suspected opioid ODs in Manchester were fatal in February.
NASHUA FEBRUARY 2026
- Suspected opioid ODs – 14
- Suspected fatal opioid ODs – 3
- 21% of the suspected opioid ODs in Nashua were fatal in February.
Please keep in mind that due to the nature of the opioid epidemic and its clear history of unpredictability, it is always possible that the trend of lower numbers could quickly change. Overall, the trend continues in the right direction. With Narcan now widely available it is likely that some opioid overdoses are now occurring without 9-1-1 intervention and are not being reported due to rapid reversal.
In NH, anyone can seek substance use disorder treatment by accessing the NH Doorway program 24/7. To access the NH Doorway program, call 2-1-1 at any time of the day or night, or visit www.thedoorway.nh.gov. If you believe someone is overdosing call 9-1-1 immediately.
To help prevent death, it is critical that people who use illicit drugs do not use them alone and have Narcan readily available. Narcan is available throughout New Hampshire at most pharmacies. It is available free of charge from local public health departments & any NH Doorway location. It is completely safe and easy to administer. Narcan is available ‘over the counter’, meaning it is available without a prescription to anyone seeking it.
Chris Stawasz is Northeast Regional Director Government Affairs for Global Medical Response, Inc. He can be reached at cstawasz@gmr.net