Opioid Policy Research Collaborative

2021 MADDS Site Reports

MADDS data from 2021 have been collected, reviewed, and processed. Here’s what we found:

  • In 2021, MADDS tested 708 drug samples, 555 (78.4%) of which came from Massachusetts and had complete on- and off-site laboratory testing. 
  • Fentanyl remains by far the most common active substance detected in drug samples. Fentanyl has been detected in cocaine, heroin, and counterfeit pills. 
  • In a concerning trend, the veterinary sedative xylazine has been increasingly detected in opioid samples. Xylazine can lead to soft-tissue infections and serious injury from remaining sedated in the same position for too long. 

Check out our new site-specific bulletins for more results.