US Drug Overdose Deaths Surged Nearly 30 Percent in 2020 to Record High

Contact Your Elected Officials
The Epoch Times

Deaths from drug overdose in the United States jumped nearly 30 percent in 2020 from the year before, according to provisional data released July 14.

More than 93,000 Americans died from drug overdoses in 2020, up from 72,151 in 2019, according to provisional statistics from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC).

The 93,331 estimated deaths in 2020 would be the most on record.

“This is the highest number of overdose deaths ever recorded in a 12-month period, and the largest increase since at least 1999,” Dr. Nora Volkow, director of the National Institutes of Health’s National Institute on Drug Abuse, said in a statement. “These data are chilling. The COVID-19 pandemic created a devastating collision of health crises in America.”

Driven by high levels of stress amid the pandemic, more people are turning to drugs, Volkow said. At the same time, treatment options for addiction were delayed or halted because of harsh lockdown mandates.

Keith Humphreys, a professor of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences at Stanford University, said on Twitter that the numbers show that addiction is a bigger public health crisis than COVID-19.

Opioids were a big factor in the surge. Opioids, a drug class that includes synthetic products such as fentanyl and prescription painkillers such as oxycodone, were a factor in approximately 75 percent of the deaths.

“We do know the primary driver of the increase involves synthetic opioids, primarily fentanyl,” Bob Anderson, chief of the Mortality Statistics Branch at the National Center for Health Statistics, which is part of the CDC, told Reuters.

The death numbers are based on death records received and processed by the National Center for Health Statistics from 50 states and the District of Columbia.

A study published last month found that shelter-in-place mandates, or lockdowns, failed to save lives during the pandemic. While fewer people may have died from COVID-19 because of such orders, deaths came in higher from drug overdoses, murders, and unintentional injuries, researchers said.

BY ZACHARY STIEBER

Read Full Article on TheEpochTimes.com

The Epoch Times
The Epoch Timeshttps://www.theepochtimes.com/
Tired of biased news? The Epoch Times is truthful, factual news that other media outlets don't report. No spin. No agenda. Just honest journalism like it used to be.

Doxed Democrats Are Getting Fired Left and Left

Not a misprint because a title of “left and...

Hold Up, Feds, Without Federalism, There Is No USA

Federalism is essential to governing the U.S., yet the federal government is undermining it by bribing states to implement unnecessary federal programs.

A Widow Inspires The World

Erika Kirk moved the nation with her speech two days after her husband’s assassination, vowing to continue his mission and grow Turning Point USA.

Both Left and Right Are Making Lists

The right admired Charlie Kirk for his faith and patriotism, while the left opposed him for dismantling their positions and narratives with ease.

Redemption’s playbook: The Senior

The Senior isn’t your usual underdog tale, it’s real, it’s raw, and it flips every cliché on its head with a playbook full of grit and plenty of aftermaths.

FBI Investigating ‘A Lot More’ Than 20 People in Chats With Suspect in Charlie Kirk Assassination, Patel Says

FBI Director Kash Patel said the Charlie Kirk assassination probe has widened, with over 20 people linked to the suspect now under investigation.

California Housing Bill Squeaks Through Legislature in Tight Vote

California lawmakers approved a plan to allow more apartments near transit stops, bypassing local rules to fight high housing costs and shortages.

Trump Praises Bondi, Patel Over Response to Assassination of Charlie Kirk

President Trump lauded AG Pam Bondi and FBI Director Kash Patel for their handling of the investigation into the assassination of Charlie Kirk.

FBI’s Patel Confirms 1,700 Domestic Terrorism Cases Being Investigated

FBI Director Kash Patel confirmed the bureau is investigating more than 1,700 domestic terrorism cases, while speaking before the Senate Judiciary Committee.

Trump Signs Memo Targeting Direct-to-Consumer Pharmaceutical Advertising

President Trump signed a memo to ensure drug ads give fair, balanced, and complete information to protect and inform American consumers.

Trump Runs out of Patience With China, Sharpens His Words

President Donald Trump’s recent remarks targeting China and its allies mark a noticeable shift in tone.

Trump Signs Order Renaming Department of Defense as Department of War

President Donald Trump on Sept. 5 signed an executive order renaming the Department of Defense as the Department of War.

Trump Signs Executive Order Targeting Countries That Unlawfully Detain Americans

President Trump signed an EO on targeting the unlawful detention of American citizens around the world and to facilitate the release of hostages.
spot_img

Related Articles

Popular Categories

MAGA Business Central