U.S. overdose deaths plummet, saving thousands of lives
U.S. drug overdose deaths have declined by 10.6%, potentially saving 20,000 lives in 2024. Contributing factors include better naloxone access and changes in drug supply, but challenges remain.
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For the first time in decades, the U.S. is experiencing a significant decline in drug overdose deaths, with a reported drop of approximately 10.6% nationwide. This trend could potentially save around 20,000 lives in 2024. Experts attribute this decline to various factors, including improved access to naloxone, a medication that reverses opioid overdoses, and changes in the street drug supply. Some states, particularly in the eastern U.S., are seeing even steeper declines, with reports of reductions as high as 31% in Ohio. While public health officials express cautious optimism, they emphasize the need for continued efforts, especially in marginalized communities where overdose rates remain high. The reasons behind this sudden drop are still unclear, with experts suggesting that a combination of factors, including law enforcement actions against drug cartels and the aftermath of the COVID-19 pandemic, may be contributing. Despite the positive trends, the overall number of overdose deaths remains alarmingly high, and many individuals still face significant challenges related to addiction.
- U.S. drug overdose deaths have dropped by approximately 10.6% for the first time in decades.
- The decline could save around 20,000 lives in 2024, with some states reporting reductions as high as 31%.
- Improved access to naloxone and changes in the street drug supply are believed to contribute to the decline.
- Experts urge caution and emphasize the need for continued public health efforts, especially in underserved communities.
- The reasons for the sudden drop in overdose deaths remain unclear, with multiple factors potentially at play.
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12 commentsWhile many people offered theories about why the drop in deaths is happening at unprecedented speed, most experts agreed that the data doesn't yet provide clear answers."
Not one word about marijuana legalization.
"States With Legalized Medical Marijuana See Decline in Nonmedical Opioid Use" https://sph.rutgers.edu/news/states-legalized-medical-mariju...
"Legalized Marijuana Linked to Decline in Opioid Emergencies" https://www.upmc.com/media/news/071221-drake-cannabisrcl
In the mid 1990s pill mills are overdispensing pain meds. I live in a pill mill area and saw the rise and fall first hand.
In the 2000s the feds are cracking down hard; pill mills are shuttered over the next decade.
Mid 2010s cheap fentanyl is being shipped to the US and opioid deaths are climbing. News orgs notice; politicians notice. Both blame the former pill-mill problem.
Late 2010s politicians pass laws sharply limiting access to pain meds and begin signaling that health care providers can be penalized for whatever the feds interpret as "over prescribing".
Chronic pain patients are suddenly cut off from pain relief that had enabled routine living - for years.
Faced with a loss of productivity or obtaining pain relief illegally, they choose one of those. I still see this first hand.
Patients find that their doctors are strongly resistant to prescribing pain meds when indicated. State laws limiting pain meds to 3 days compound the problem. Post-op and ER patients are increasingly prescribed acetaminophen for significantly painful events.
For the past 5 years: News orgs wind-down pill mill citations; ramp up focus on Fentanyl and need for treatment. Politicians attack Fentanyl but are divided about decreasing addiction through treatment - usually along party lines.
Politicians and news orgs are unitedly oblivious to the plight of pain patients.
Drug use is usually seen as a poverty problem, and on this platform we are constantly reminded that the US has GDP figures that dwarf the European.
While not all, likely not even a majority, of people most likely to show up in OD stats are receiving that kind of support the share is likely high enough to be readily visible in statistics were the support to change substantially in quantity or quality.
history will not look favorably on kicking the can down the road like this. we keep dodging the root cause to prop up a population that will cost the public an astronomical amount of money in healthcare and lifestyle cost. thats not even factoring in turning cities into hellscapes.
not only is this anti democratic (literally nobody wants to support junkies) but will lead to the rise of populists. how is it fair for middle class who have to pay tens of thousands, if not more, for healthcare cost every year?
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