Drug overdoses, driven by opioids, are reaching record numbers across the U.S. Since 2020, fentanyl overdose is the leading cause of death for individuals age 18-45.
According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, 64,000 fentanyl overdose deaths were reported for the year ending April 2021, nearly doubling since 2019.Total drug overdose deaths topped 100,000 for the first time ever in the 12-month period ending in April. Deaths have stayed above that mark in data reported for May and June as well.
“We’ve been in an opioid epidemic for years, and now fentanyl has significantly increased the risk of using any drugs from the streets because they are laced with this highly deadly substance,” said Rosecrance Regional President Carlene Cardosi. “People take what they think is an opioid, anxiety drug, or stimulant, and unknowingly overdose because of the fentanyl.”
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