October 7, 2024 – Drug overdose deaths fell significantly within the U.S. last 12 months, recording the most important single-year decline in at the least a decade.
About 101,000 people died of drug overdoses last 12 months, in comparison with just over 112,000 people the previous 12 months. The still preliminary figures assume a decline of 10%.
The steep change remains to be not enough to bring the annual toll all the way down to pre-pandemic levels, when the country typically recorded fewer than 75,000 drug overdose deaths per 12 months. But the brand new data represents a reversal from strong year-over-year increases.
“This is exciting,” said Nora Volkow, MD, director of the National Institute on Drug Abuse NPR. “That looks real. This looks very, very real.”
The newly published figures from the CDC The figures are for April 2023 to April 2024. The report authors note that these are preliminary figures and the actual number could possibly be higher once some outstanding death investigations are accomplished.
Drug overdose deaths are largely because of using opioids, which include heroin, painkillers resembling oxycodone, and powerful synthetic substances resembling fentanyl. During one Overdosethe brain cannot regulate respiration properly.
The decline in overdose deaths last 12 months could also be due partly to the increasing availability of the drug Naloxonewhich might help restore an individual's respiration and stop the results of opioids. There was an over-the-counter version of the drug approved Although this approval occurred around the top of the last overdose reporting period, its impact on overdose deaths is more likely to be seen in next 12 months's data.
But a nationwide awareness effort should still have played a job, resembling the U.S. Surgeon General's “Be Prepared” campaign. Get naloxone. Save a life.” The campaign The goal is to assist people understand whether a detailed friend or member of the family is vulnerable to an opioid overdose, and in that case, have naloxone available and trained in how you can administer it.
Other national efforts to cut back overdose deaths included law enforcement efforts to stop human trafficking and expanded efforts to assist people get treatment. A federally funded project was implemented last month study pointed to a more practical treatment for people taking strong fentanyl by optimizing the dosage of a commonly used addictive drug called buprenorphine. The study showed that adults with an opioid use disorder who received higher doses could have a lower risk of going to the emergency room or being hospitalized in comparison with adults who received the usual dose.
Signs of an opioid overdose include small pupils, slowed respiration, and lack of consciousness. If someone near you is vulnerable to an opioid overdose, talk over with your doctor or pharmacist about taking naloxone.
If you or someone you understand is fighting substance use, you possibly can get treatment and help by calling the national hotline 800-662-HELP (4357) or at FindTreatment.gov.
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