Substance use continues to be a serious concern in Rhode Island. In 2023, drug overdoses claimed 404 lives across the state, and by 2024, another 329 lives were lost to preventable overdoses. Fentanyl and cocaine remain two of the most common substances involved in these deaths, contributing to 57% and 61% of fatal overdoses, respectively.
In July 2021, Governor McKee signed legislation authorizing a harm reduction center pilot program, making Rhode Island one of the first states in the country to establish licensed harm reduction centers, also known as overdose prevention or supervised consumption sites.
These centers play a key role in the state’s strategy to reduce overdose deaths and connect people to life-saving services. They provide safe, supportive spaces where individuals can use pre-obtained substances under medical supervision, free from legal consequences, and with access to treatment, counseling, and recovery resources.