All articles tagged with #drug overdose deaths
Staten Island's innovative 'hotspotting' program, which uses data, AI, and peer outreach, has contributed to a significant decline in overdose deaths on the borough, marking a potential shift in addressing the overdose crisis through targeted, proactive care and community engagement.
President Trump has escalated rhetoric against Iran, threatening its supreme leader and claiming control over Iran's skies amid ongoing tensions related to Iran's nuclear ambitions. Meanwhile, U.S. street drug overdose deaths have increased for the first time in over a year, and immigration enforcement continues to impact industries. The article also covers other topics like U.S. sports, travel issues, and food industry changes.
A report by the CDC shows a significant increase in drug overdose deaths involving smoking and a decrease in deaths involving injection from January 2020 to December 2022, with smoking becoming the most common route of drug use. This shift is observed across all U.S. regions and is particularly pronounced in deaths involving illegally manufactured fentanyls (IMFs). The findings highlight the need to strengthen public health and harm reduction services to address overdose risk associated with diverse routes of drug use, including smoking, in order to reduce drug overdose deaths.
Drug overdose deaths among adolescents in the United States are on the rise, with fentanyl being the key culprit. Gender, racial, and ethnic differences exist in adolescent overdose deaths compared to adults. Having naloxone, a drug that can prevent opioid overdoses, readily available at home is crucial. Parents should proactively talk to their children about substance use and emphasize the importance of healthy development. Regular check-ins on adolescents' mental health and early treatment for any concerns are recommended, as there is a strong link between mental health conditions and drug overdoses among both adolescents and adults.
A study reveals that drug overdose deaths among pregnant and postpartum individuals have significantly increased between 2018 and 2021, reflecting the overall rise in drug-related deaths in the United States. The majority of these fatalities involved opioids, particularly fentanyl, and occurred outside of healthcare facilities. Factors contributing to the increase include social isolation during the pandemic and inadequate prenatal and postpartum care. Stigma surrounding drug use and fear of legal action hinder pregnant individuals from seeking treatment. Experts emphasize the need for better support, education on treatment options, and creating environments where individuals can disclose substance use without fear of repercussions. Current treatment recommendations include medication combined with behavioral therapy. Efforts are being made to address this issue, with grants provided to organizations dedicated to helping pregnant individuals with substance use disorder.
The number of drug overdose deaths in the United States continues to rise, although at a slower pace, with over 112,000 deaths projected in the 12-month period ending in May, an increase of more than 2,700 from the previous year. While the increase is leveling off, it still represents a devastating impact on population health. Fentanyl and other synthetic opioids were involved in the majority of overdose deaths, and certain states, particularly in the western US, have seen steep increases in deaths. The availability of naloxone, a drug used to reverse opioid overdose, is important but not enough to address the opioid epidemic.
San Francisco health officials have expressed concern over the increasing number of drug overdose deaths in the city, with 84 deaths recorded in August, tying with January as the deadliest month for overdoses since 2020. The city is on track to surpass previous years' overdose death rates, potentially reaching close to 850 deaths by the end of the year. To address the crisis, the city plans to launch a live dashboard to track drug use trends and guide policy decisions. Fentanyl use is identified as the primary cause of overdose deaths, but there is also a rise in xylazine (known as 'tranq') use. Health officials urge those struggling with addiction to seek help and access available treatment and services.
Drug overdose deaths in the United States reached another record level, with over 111,000 people dying from a drug overdose in the 12-month period ending in April, according to provisional data from the CDC. While the pace of increase is slower than in previous years, the numbers remain concerning, especially in parts of the country like the West. Fentanyl and other synthetic opioids are involved in nearly 70% of overdose deaths, with psychostimulants and cocaine also contributing. Experts emphasize the need for broader access to and use of treatments for opioid use disorder to reverse the trend in overdose deaths.
Drug overdose deaths in the US have quadrupled over the past 20 years, with rates spiking 4.4 times from 1999 to 2020, according to a study by Florida Atlantic University. The introduction of OxyContin, a highly addictive opioid, played a significant role in the increase. White Americans, Alaskan Natives, and Native Americans experienced the greatest rise in overdose deaths by race, while the Midwest and rural areas were most affected. Fentanyl, a synthetic opioid, has become a major cause of drug overdose, especially in its illegal forms. The study suggests integrating addiction care into healthcare practices and incorporating training in this area into medical education.
A surge in counterfeit prescription pills, primarily containing fentanyl, has contributed to a record number of drug overdose deaths in the US, according to a study by the CDC. Deaths from fake pills more than doubled nationwide between mid-2019 and the end of 2021, with triple the number of deaths in western states. Over 90% of the counterfeit drugs contained fentanyl, a powerful synthetic opioid. Many individuals seeking legitimate prescription drugs unknowingly purchased counterfeit pills to avoid fentanyl, which claims nearly 200 lives a day. The DEA warns that six out of ten counterfeit pills laced with fentanyl contain a potentially lethal dose. The Biden administration has allocated an additional $450m to combat the opioid epidemic, including funding for awareness campaigns and recovery programs.
Baltimore ranks first in the United States for drug overdose deaths, with just over 174 deaths per 100,000 residents, according to a report by the San Francisco Chronicle. Davidson County, Tennessee, Philadelphia County, Pennsylvania, Marion County, Indiana, and Washington D.C. rounded out the top five. Resources for substance-use disorder treatment and prevention are available through the National Survey of Substance Abuse Treatment Services and Maryland's Before It's Too Late initiative. Local resources in Maryland include the Department of Health, crisis hotlines, and county-specific programs.
A new report from the US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) reveals that opioids are involved in the majority of drug overdose deaths involving cocaine and psychostimulants such as methamphetamine. In 2021, opioids were present in about 79% of overdose deaths involving cocaine and about 66% of those involving psychostimulants. Overdose deaths involving both cocaine and opioids have become over seven times more frequent in the past decade, while those involving both psychostimulants and opioids have become 22 times more common. The rise in these deaths highlights the dangers of illicit fentanyl, but experts emphasize the need for multiple strategic approaches to address the overdose epidemic.
The US FDA has approved an over-the-counter version of the opioid overdose antidote Narcan, which is the first of its kind. With drug overdose deaths continuing to hover near record levels, Dr. Leana Wen explains that this new medicine is a "complete antidote to opioids."