The AP (7/15, Johnson) reports according to preliminary data released by the CDC, “nearly 71,000 Americans died of drug overdoses last year, a new record that predates the COVID-19 crisis, which the White House and many experts believe will drive such deaths even higher.” The AP adds “the trend is driven by fentanyl and similar synthetic opioids, which accounted for 36,500 overdose deaths,” but “deaths involving cocaine and methamphetamine also are rising.”
Politico (7/15, Ehley) also covers the story.
Related Links:
— “New peak of 71K US overdose deaths in 2019 dashes hopes, “Carla K. Johnson, AP, July 15, 2020