Overdose deaths soared to a record 93,000 last year in the midst of the COVID-19 pandemic, the US government reported Wednesday. That estimate far eclipses the high of about 72,000 drug overdose deaths reached the previous year and amounts to a 29% increase. Overdose deaths are just one facet of what was overall the deadliest year in US history. The Centres for Disease Control and Prevention reviewed death certificates to come up with the estimate for 2020 drug overdose deaths. The proliferation of fentanyl is one reason some experts do not expect any substantial decline in drug overdose deaths this year.

Source: Mint July 14, 2021 14:03 UTC