January 8, 2017: Dartmouth College researchers are trying to understand why New Hampshire has the highest fentanyl death rates in the country, and why the state has had a history of problems with addiction. According to the New Hampshire Union Leader, the study is an offshoot of a rapid HotSpot study completed last year by a team from the National Drug Early Warning System (NDEWS). 

Entitled, "Understanding Opioid Overdose in New Hampshire" this new effort is intended to serve as a rapid epidemiological study to work with those directly affected, such as users, EMTs, emergency room medical personnel, police, firefighters, and many more. The researchers have found that users were not accidentally overdosing, but people were seeking fentanyl. The report is scheduled to be released in April.

New Hampshire Union Leader: Research: NH tops in fentanyl deaths