Drug Overdose Deaths Reach Record High During Pandemic

Drug overdoses killed more than 100,000 people in the United States during the one-year period ending in April 2021, according toprovisional data issued yesterday by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). This marks the first time that drug overdose deaths reached six figures in one year and represents a 29% increase in overdose deaths from the prior year.Synthetic opioids (that mimic the effects of natural opioids like heroin but are far more potent), primarily fentanyl, were responsible for 64% of the total deaths, a rise of nearly 50% from the year before, according to the CDC ’s National Center for Health Statistics. Psychostimulants, such as methamphetamine, were responsible for 28% of the total deaths.APA, responding to this news,renewed its call for the following actions:Improved access to mental health and substance use services through early identification, utilizing evidence-based models that integrate behavioral health treatment into primary care services.Effective substance use disorder treatment for all patients, through the development of science-based policies that are based on a thorough review and discussion with Congress, federal policymakers, and experts in the field of addiction treatment.Policies and programs to support accredited medical schools and residency programs to provide training for the treatment of individuals with substance use disorders and incentivize more educators, consultants, and physician leaders to take on roles to dev...
Source: Psychiatr News - Category: Psychiatry Tags: CDC drug overdose fentanyl methamphetamine pandemic Source Type: research