Drug overdose deaths may be decreasing — but not for everyone
2 months, 2 weeks ago

Drug overdose deaths may be decreasing — but not for everyone

Salon  

Late last month, news outlets reported that drug overdose deaths across the country were "falling fast," in a “promising” trend that is “saving thousands of lives — But many people working on the ground in harm reduction spaces say the national trend does not align with what they are seeing as they continue to watch people who use drugs in their community die at alarming rates. In Maryland, the decline in overdose deaths in the past year occurred almost entirely among white people, whereas the number of overdose deaths among Black people rose during this time period. “Unfortunately, for the most affected groups, namely Native Americans and Black American men, the death rates are not decreasing and are at the highest recorded levels.” “In Black communities across this country, the diminishing death rates are not the story,” said Tracie Gardner, co-director of the National Black Harm Reduction Network. “It's been the case in the entire ‘War on Drugs,’ where the response to substance use disorder among Latino and Black folks has often been to put them in jail, and jail is not where people recover from substance use,” Bluthenthal told Salon in a phone interview.

Drugs Deaths Data Black North Carolina Number Drug Rates Communities Salon White People Black People Overdose Overdose Deaths Reduction Bluthenthal Kebec  drug  deaths  rates  number  communities  drugs  black  reduction  overdose  data  decreasing

History of this topic

'Historic' drop in U.S. overdose deaths accelerates as fentanyl crisis eases
1 month, 1 week ago

'Historic' drop in U.S. overdose deaths accelerates as fentanyl crisis eases

NPR  

'Historic' drop in U.S. overdose deaths accelerates as fentanyl crisis eases toggle caption Spencer Platt/Getty Images North America Street drug deaths in the U.S. are dropping at the fastest rate ever seen, according to a new report issued on Thursday by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Public health officials say the drop translates into more than 16,000 lives …

US overdose deaths are down, giving experts hope for an enduring decline
1 month, 1 week ago

US overdose deaths are down, giving experts hope for an enduring decline

Associated Press  

NEW YORK — The decline in U.S. drug overdose deaths appears to have continued this year, giving experts hope the nation is seeing sustained improvement in the persistent epidemic. There were about 97,000 overdose deaths in the 12-month period that ended June 30, according to provisional Centers for Disease Control and Prevention data released Wednesday. “This is a pretty stunning …

US overdoses have fallen sharply in recent months, a hopeful shift in trends
3 months ago

US overdoses have fallen sharply in recent months, a hopeful shift in trends

CNN  

CNN — Federal data shows that overdose deaths in the United States are the lowest they’ve been in three years, and a new analysis suggests that some downward trends indicate “unprecedented” progress in the fight against the drug epidemic. “I think also it’s important to note that there are still more people dying from overdose than before the pandemic, and …

America's addiction crisis in YOUR state - depressing chart reveals which areas are most impacted
6 months, 1 week ago

America's addiction crisis in YOUR state - depressing chart reveals which areas are most impacted

Daily Mail  

An enlightening new report has revealed the states that have been hit the hardest by America's drug addiction epidemic. Intriguingly, the region with the second highest number of drug deaths was nation's political hub, Washington DC, with some 70 drug deaths per 100,000 — also said to be the result of potent painkiller prescriptions. Drug overdose deaths are also a …

Report shows a drop in drug overdose deaths in Kentucky but governor says the fight is far from over
6 months, 2 weeks ago

Report shows a drop in drug overdose deaths in Kentucky but governor says the fight is far from over

Associated Press  

FRANKFORT, Ky. — Drug overdose deaths in Kentucky fell nearly 10% in 2023, marking a second straight annual decline in the fight against an addiction epidemic that’s far from over, Gov. Senate Republican leader Mitch McConnell — who has steered huge sums of federal funding to his home state to combat its addiction woes — said the report is a …

Fewer US overdose deaths were reported last year, but experts are still cautious
7 months, 1 week ago

Fewer US overdose deaths were reported last year, but experts are still cautious

Associated Press  

NEW YORK — The number of U.S. fatal overdoses fell last year, according to Centers for Disease Control and Prevention data posted Wednesday. CDC Chief Medical Officer Dr. Deb Houry called the dip “heartening news” and praised efforts to reduce the tally, but she noted “there are still families and friends losing their loved ones to drug overdoses at staggering …

Drug overdose deaths in the US decreased in 2023, for the first time in five years
7 months, 1 week ago

Drug overdose deaths in the US decreased in 2023, for the first time in five years

CNN  

CNN — After a steep rise during the Covid-19 pandemic, preliminary data shows that drug overdose deaths in the United States ticked down in 2023 for the first time in five years. “This progress over the last 12 months should make us want to reinvigorate our efforts knowing that our strategies are making a difference,” CDC Chief Medical Officer Dr. …

Deadly overdoses fell in U.S. for first time in five years, new estimates show
7 months, 1 week ago

Deadly overdoses fell in U.S. for first time in five years, new estimates show

LA Times  

Deaths from drug overdoses fell last year in the United States as fewer people lost their lives to fentanyl and other opioids, marking the first time the death toll had dropped in five years, according to newly released estimates from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. “I’m thrilled that there wasn’t an increase, but we’re still talking about 107,000 …

U.S. drug deaths declined slightly in 2023 but remained at crisis levels
7 months, 1 week ago

U.S. drug deaths declined slightly in 2023 but remained at crisis levels

NPR  

U.S. drug deaths declined slightly in 2023 but remained at crisis levels Enlarge this image toggle caption U.S. Attorney's Office for Utah/AP U.S. Attorney's Office for Utah/AP Updated Wednesday May 15 at 1:25 p.m. In a statement released last week as part of the U.S. National Drug Threat Assessment for 2024, the head of the Drug Enforcement Administration, Anne Milgram, …

Smoking drugs now linked to more overdose deaths than injecting drugs, report finds
10 months, 1 week ago

Smoking drugs now linked to more overdose deaths than injecting drugs, report finds

CNN  

CNN — The percentage of overdose deaths linked to smoking drugs rose sharply in recent years, overtaking injection as the leading route of drug use involved in such deaths, according to a new report from the US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. The report, published Thursday, looked at information from crime scene investigations, witness reports and autopsy data and …

Suicide rates for women increased 4 percent in 2022: CDC data
1 year ago

Suicide rates for women increased 4 percent in 2022: CDC data

Raw Story  

This article was originally published by The 19th. Even though the total number of men who committed suicide outpaced women 4 to 1 in 2022, the suicide rate for women increased twice as much as men from 2021 to 2022. In the 10 to 14 age group, the suicide rate for men declined 13 percent and declined 22 percent for …

Decriminalizing drugs in Oregon and Washington isn't associated with overdose increases, study finds
1 year, 2 months ago

Decriminalizing drugs in Oregon and Washington isn't associated with overdose increases, study finds

Salon  

In 2020, Oregon voters passed Measure 110, a law decriminalizing the possession of small amounts of controlled substances like cocaine, heroin and methamphetamine. Between 2020 and 2021, overdose deaths did increase in Oregon and Washington with some apparent missteps in the rollout of decriminalization programs: An audit of Oregon's program released in January 2023 found the legislation was vague in …

Drug overdoses in the US slightly increased last year. But experts see hopeful signs
1 year, 7 months ago

Drug overdoses in the US slightly increased last year. But experts see hopeful signs

Associated Press  

NEW ORLEANS — Drug overdose deaths in the U.S. went up slightly last year after two big leaps during the pandemic. We shouldn’t suggest the crisis is in any way over.” An estimated 109,680 overdose deaths occurred last year, according to numbers posted Wednesday by the CDC. Plus, the stigma that kept drug users from seeking help — and some …

Beshear: Drug overdose deaths fell in Kentucky in 2022
1 year, 8 months ago

Beshear: Drug overdose deaths fell in Kentucky in 2022

Associated Press  

FRANKFORT, Ky. — Drug overdose deaths in Kentucky fell by 5% in 2022, offering a sign of hope that treatment efforts are relieving an addiction epidemic that remains a public health crisis, Gov. Addiction spares no one.” Much more work remains to overcome what remains a public health crisis, but the decline in overdose deaths offers some good news in …

Maine sets another record for overdose deaths, report says
1 year, 10 months ago

Maine sets another record for overdose deaths, report says

Associated Press  

AUGUSTA, Maine — More than 700 people died from drug overdoses last year in Maine, setting the third straight record, officials said. A report by the attorney general’s office Thursday notes there were 716 suspected or confirmed drug overdose deaths in 2022, compared to 636 deaths the year before and 504 deaths in 2020. In her budget proposal, Mills proposed …

US overdose deaths may be peaking, but experts are wary
2 years, 1 month ago

US overdose deaths may be peaking, but experts are wary

Associated Press  

NEW YORK — Have U.S. drug overdose deaths stopped rising? U.S. overdose death rates began steadily climbing in the 1990s driven by opioid painkillers, followed by waves of deaths led by other opioids like heroin and — most recently — illicit fentanyl. “Today’s data continue to show a hopeful trend of a decrease in overdose deaths,” but more prevention and …

US overdose deaths may be peaking, but experts are wary
2 years, 1 month ago

US overdose deaths may be peaking, but experts are wary

The Independent  

For free real time breaking news alerts sent straight to your inbox sign up to our breaking news emails Sign up to our free breaking news emails Sign up to our free breaking news emails SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. U.S. overdose death rates began steadily climbing in the …

America's drug crisis laid bare: CDC maps shows fatal overdoses have risen in all but EIGHT states
2 years, 2 months ago

America's drug crisis laid bare: CDC maps shows fatal overdoses have risen in all but EIGHT states

Daily Mail  

Fatal drug overdoses have risen in all but eight US states in the past year, according to official data that lays bare America's drug crisis. Alaska has seen by far the biggest percentage increase in drug overdose deaths between April 2021 and April 2022, rising by 44 per cent. The total count looks like it is coming down, but the …

Death rates from drug overdoses hit historic highs in 2020
2 years, 5 months ago

Death rates from drug overdoses hit historic highs in 2020

Daily Mail  

Drug overdose deaths among black and indigenous Americans spiked in 2020 — with a total of 2,400 more being recorded during the first year of Covid compared to the previous 12 months. The report confirms previously published papers, which also showed a spike in drug overdose deaths among Black Americans during the first year of the pandemic. Drug overdose deaths …

Colorado’s drop in life expectancy blamed on COVID, drugs
2 years, 5 months ago

Colorado’s drop in life expectancy blamed on COVID, drugs

Associated Press  

DENVER — Life expectancy dropped in Colorado for the second straight year in 2021. Both communities entered the pandemic with “longstanding pre-existing health disparities that made them especially vulnerable to more severe COVID illness and death,” said Michelle Sarche, a licensed clinical psychologist and associate professor in the Centers for American Indian & Alaska Native Health and Department of Community …

Record 108,000 Americans died of a drug overdose in 2021, CDC reports
2 years, 7 months ago

Record 108,000 Americans died of a drug overdose in 2021, CDC reports

Daily Mail  

Deaths from drug overdoses in the U.S. hit their highest level since records began last year, provisional figures showed Wednesday — with opioids including fentanyl behind nearly three in five fatalities. It reveals figures have now reached a record high, and are surging on the last three years ‹ Slide me › The above map shows the rate of drug …

US overdose deaths hit record 107,000 last year, CDC says
2 years, 7 months ago

US overdose deaths hit record 107,000 last year, CDC says

Associated Press  

NEW YORK — More than 107,000 Americans died of drug overdoses last year, setting another tragic record in the nation’s escalating overdose epidemic, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention estimated Wednesday. Dr. Nora Volkow, director of the National Institute on Drug Abuse, called the latest numbers “truly staggering.” The White House issued a statement calling the accelerating pace of …

U.S. overdose deaths reached a record 107,000 last year, CDC says
2 years, 7 months ago

U.S. overdose deaths reached a record 107,000 last year, CDC says

LA Times  

Deb Walker visits the grave of her daughter, Brooke Goodwin, in December in Chester, Vt. Goodwin, 23, died in March 2021 of a fatal overdose of fentanyl and xylazine, an animal tranquilizer that is making its way into the illicit drug supply. More than 107,000 Americans died of drug overdoses last year, setting another tragic record in the nation’s escalating …

Overdose deaths in US hit record 107,000 last year, CDC says
2 years, 7 months ago

Overdose deaths in US hit record 107,000 last year, CDC says

Al Jazeera  

With opioid epidemic still rising, tragic milestone translates into one death from drug abuse every five minutes in US. More than 107,000 Americans died of drug overdoses last year, setting another tragic record in the nation’s escalating overdose epidemic, the US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention estimated on Wednesday. The White House issued a statement calling the accelerating pace …

New data show US drug epidemic is deadlier than ever, but preventing overdoses is an uphill battle
2 years, 10 months ago

New data show US drug epidemic is deadlier than ever, but preventing overdoses is an uphill battle

CNN  

CNN — Drug overdose deaths have doubled over the past six years, soaring in recent months amid the Covid-19 pandemic and continued rise of fentanyl. And it’s not like they turn off overnight,” said Katherine Keyes, an associate professor at the Columbia University Mailman School of Public Health whose research focuses on psychiatric and substance use epidemiology. Programs like syringe …

Suicides By Drug Overdose Have Increased Among Young Americans
2 years, 10 months ago

Suicides By Drug Overdose Have Increased Among Young Americans

Huff Post  

Klaus Vedfelt via Getty Images A new study found that while overdose suicide deaths are decreasing overall, there are a few populations in which those deaths are increasing. Bucking the overall downward trend, intentional overdose deaths increased among teens and young adults ages 15 to 24. While there’s no concrete data yet on how the pandemic has affected these numbers, …

Op-Ed: Surging overdose deaths are a tragic racial justice issue
3 years, 1 month ago

Op-Ed: Surging overdose deaths are a tragic racial justice issue

LA Times  

Drug overdoses, which gained attention in recent years as a “white problem,” are now more common among Black Americans. In 2020, drug overdose death rates among Black Americans overtook those of white Americans for the first time since the 1990s, according to our recent analysis of data from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. In addition to soaring rates …

US overdose deaths topped 100,000 in one year, officials say
3 years, 1 month ago

US overdose deaths topped 100,000 in one year, officials say

Associated Press  

NEW YORK — An estimated 100,000 Americans died of drug overdoses in one year, a never-before-seen milestone that health officials say is tied to the COVID-19 pandemic and a more dangerous drug supply. “It’s a magnitude of overdose death that we haven’t seen in this country.” Drug overdoses now surpass deaths from car crashes, guns and even flu and pneumonia. …

US drug overdose deaths top 100,000 in one year in 28.5% increase
3 years, 1 month ago

US drug overdose deaths top 100,000 in one year in 28.5% increase

Al Jazeera  

US CDC figures show most fatal overdoses – at least 64,000 – are due to synthetic opioids, such as fentanyl. More than 100,000 people have died from drug overdoses in the United States during the 12-month period ending April 2021, data from the US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention has shown – an almost 30 percent uptick in fatalities …

U.S. drug overdose deaths top 100,000 in a year for the first time, officials say
3 years, 1 month ago

U.S. drug overdose deaths top 100,000 in a year for the first time, officials say

LA Times  

Travis Gustavson, right, in a family photo with Carter Lange, from left, Kim Gustavson, Jason Lange and Matthew Gustavson. U.S. drug overdose deaths top 100,000 in a year for the first time, officials say An estimated 100,000 Americans died of drug overdoses in one year, a never-before-seen milestone that health officials say is tied to the COVID-19 pandemic and a …

Drug overdose deaths reach an all-time high in US amid coronavirus pandemic
3 years, 5 months ago

Drug overdose deaths reach an all-time high in US amid coronavirus pandemic

CNN  

CNN — “I just screamed and cried. “It’s terrible news,” said Dr. Joshua Sharfstein, vice dean for public health practice at the Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health and a former deputy commission at the US Food and Drug Administration. Elazer was released from prison “smack dab in the middle of Covid,” his sister said, and despite the national …

US overdose deaths hit record 93,000 in pandemic last year
3 years, 5 months ago

US overdose deaths hit record 93,000 in pandemic last year

Associated Press  

NEW YORK — Overdose deaths soared to a record 93,000 last year in the midst of the COVID-19 pandemic, the U.S. government reported Wednesday. That estimate far eclipses the high of about 72,000 drug overdose deaths reached the previous year and amounts to a 29% increase. Methamphetamine is contaminated.” Fentanyl was involved in more than 60% of the overdose deaths …

‘Staggering loss’: Overdose deaths spike in US during pandemic
3 years, 5 months ago

‘Staggering loss’: Overdose deaths spike in US during pandemic

Al Jazeera  

The US was already fighting a serious opioid epidemic; the pandemic exacerbated the crisis, new statistics show. Overdose deaths soared to a record 93,000 last year amid the COVID-19 pandemic, the United States government reported on Wednesday. That estimate far eclipses the high of about 72,000 drug overdose deaths reached the previous year and amounts to a 29 percent increase. …

In pandemic, drug overdose deaths soar among Black Americans
3 years, 5 months ago

In pandemic, drug overdose deaths soar among Black Americans

Associated Press  

ST. LOUIS — She screamed and cried, banged on the dashboard, begging her husband to drive faster, faster, faster toward her brother lying face-down on his bedroom floor. In the city of St. Louis, deaths among Black people increased last year at three times the rate of white people, skyrocketing more than 33%. “That is the worst form of segregation: …

A city wrestled down an addiction crisis. Then came COVID-19
3 years, 8 months ago

A city wrestled down an addiction crisis. Then came COVID-19

The Independent  

For free real time breaking news alerts sent straight to your inbox sign up to our breaking news emails Sign up to our free breaking news emails Sign up to our free breaking news emails SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. “In the last six months, they’re gone.” As the …

US deaths in 2020 top 3 million, by far most ever counted
4 years ago

US deaths in 2020 top 3 million, by far most ever counted

Associated Press  

NEW YORK — This is the deadliest year in U.S. history, with deaths expected to top 3 million for the first time — due mainly to the coronavirus pandemic. And life expectancy inched up — by several weeks — for the second straight year, according to death certificate data released Tuesday by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. The …

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