Drug overdose deaths hit nearly 107,000 over the past year, according to federal data.
On Thursday, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention reported that in 2021, the United States saw a 16% increase of drug overdose deaths, with nearly 106,699 deaths recorded. This increase follows the more than 92,000 recorded deaths in 2020.
The CDC'S final report also included the total deaths reported in 2021. The United States saw more than 3.46 million deaths, 80,502 more than the previous year. Above the deaths from drug overdoses, COVID-19 was responsible for 416,893 deaths.
"These data are very tragic but not surprising," said Dr. Nora Volkow, director of the National Institute on Drug Abuse, CNN reports. "The pandemic had a magnifying effect on an already-devastating overdose crisis, and exacerbated many of the stressors in society that make people more vulnerable to taking drugs."
"We also know that substance use is more dangerous than it has ever been, as fentanyl has continued to permeate the illicit drug supply, increasing the risk for overdoses among both people with substance use disorders as well as those who use drugs occasionally," Volkow added.
Evan Resnikoff, Chief of Operations, Newtown Emergency Medical Services (formerly Newtown Ambulance Squad), will give a report to the Newtown BOS in February 2023. I don't know how detailed it will be, but I am particularly interested in drug-related calls.
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