PROVIDENCE, R.I. (WPRI) — Several towns in southwestern Rhode Island have recently experienced an increase in drug overdoses, according to the R.I. Department of Health.

Health officials issued an overdose spike alert Thursday for East Greenwich, Exeter, Hopkinton, Richmond, and West Greenwich.

The five towns make up "Region 10" — one of 11 areas the state tracks for overdose trends.

From Aug. 26 to Sept. 1, Region 10 surpassed its weekly threshold of three non-fatal opioid overdoses, with East Greenwich being the most impacted, according to the Health Department.

Region 10's 180-day overdose rate has reportedly been lower than the statewide average. The previous spike for the region happened on May 9.

Overdose Prevention Resources

Rhode Island's overdose resource website, PreventOve

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