More than 109,000 Americans died from drug overdoses in the 12 months ending January 2023, a slight increase from the previous year, according to provisional data from the US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). USA
The figure represents an increase of 0.7% compared to the 107,764 overdoses in the 12-month period that ended in January 2022, the Reuters agency reported. This increase occurs despite the push given by President Joe Biden to adopt measures to address drug addiction and overdoses.
In May, the Biden Administration imposed sanctions on 17 individuals and entities based in China and Mexico that it accused of facilitating the production of counterfeit pills containing fentanyl, a drug that played a key role in the opioid crisis and its associated deaths.
The number of overdose deaths in the US surpassed the 100,000 barrier for the first time in 2021, in parallel with the COVID-19 pandemic and the increase in mental health problems in the population. The effect was exacerbated by the wide availability of lethal drugs such as fentanyl, increasingly mixed with other illegal drugs.
“During the pandemic, mental illness, depression and anxiety increased dramatically, and people began using more and more substances,” said Tom Britton, CEO of American Addiction Centers.
Overdose deaths in the US had increased by 13.7% between January 2021 and January 2022, and by 31.4% in the previous 12 months, at the height of the pandemic.
But the rise in overdose deaths began before the pandemic took hold due to abuse of prescription opioid painkillers and illegal drugs like heroin.
CDC Information
What is fentanyl?
Pharmaceutical fentanyl is a synthetic opioid, approved for the treatment of severe pain, usually pain caused by advanced cancer1. Its potency is between 50 and 100 times greater than that of morphine. It is prescribed in the form of transdermal patches or dissolving tablets, and can be diverted for abuse and excessive consumption in the United States.
However, the most recent cases of harm, overdose, and death caused by fentanyl in the United States are linked to illegally manufactured fentanyl2. It is marketed in illegal drug markets for a heroin-like effect. It is often mixed with heroin or cocaine, as a combination product—with or without the user’s knowledge—to increase the euphoric effects.
What can be done?
The increase in overdose deaths highlights the need to ensure that people at highest risk of overdose can access medical care, as well as the need to expand prevention and response activities. CDC has published a Health Alert Network Advisory for medical and public health professionals, first responders, harm reduction organizations, and other community partners that recommends the following appropriate actions based on the following: local needs and particularities:
|
