Drug overdose deaths in the U.S. have topped 100,000 for the first time
A report published by the Centers for Disease Control & Prevention (CDC) found more than 100,000 people died from fatal drug overdoses for the first time in U.S. history over a 12-month period, a 28.5% increase over the same period just a year earlier.
In response, the National Institute of Health (NIH) recognized fentanyl and methamphetamines as the drivers behind the increase in deaths. According to Anne Milgram, the head of the Drug Enforcement Administration, the DEA seized enough fentanyl this year alone to provide every member of the U.S. population with a lethal dose. As organizations predict fatalities will continue to surge, the Biden administration asked states to relax laws that complicate access to naloxone.
Read the CDC’s press release here.
Access to naloxone is only one critical piece in the strategy to reverse this devastating trend of rising overdose deaths in the U.S. As an organization we advocate for:
- Better policies to protect those seeking help in the event of an overdose
- The availability of harm reduction resources to help prevent overdose and mitigate the risk of infection/disease
- Improved care processes and support for those suffering with chronic pain
- Reduced stigma surrounding substance use disorder
- Improved access to treatment, mental health care, and ongoing support services for all
As the full scope of this epidemic is brought to light, we are reminded just how badly structural changes are needed to prevent tragic outcomes for individuals using substances and those suffering from chronic pain. Compassionate action is more important than ever in the communities we serve.
Through our continued work and new initiatives, we move our fight forward, never forgetting about the lives we’ve lost.