Bleak New Estimates in Drug Epidemic: A Record 72,000 Overdose Deaths in 2017
August 16, 2018

Drug overdoses killed about 72,000 Americans last year, a record number that reflects a rise of around 10 percent, according to new preliminary estimates from the Centers for Disease Control. The death toll is higher than the peak yearly death totals from H.I.V., car crashes or gun deaths. Analysts pointed to two major reasons for the increase: A growing number of Americans are using opioids, and drugs are becoming more deadly. It is the second factor that most likely explains the bulk of the increased number of overdoses last year.

 

 

Posted by The New York Times at 11:44 AM
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Bleak New Estimates in Drug Epidemic: A Record 72,000 Overdose Deaths in 2017
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