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WASHINGTON: The Covid-19 pandemic has fueled an increase in fatal drug overdoses in the United States, officials said on Thursday, stressing that essential medical services must remain accessible despite coronavirus-related disruptions.
According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), more than 81,000 drug overdose deaths were recorded in the United States from the year to May, the highest number on record in a 12-month period.
He said the latest data showed an acceleration in overdose deaths since the pandemic took hold earlier this year.
“The disruption of daily life from the COVID-19 pandemic has hit people with substance use disorders hard,” CDC Director Robert Redfield said.
“As we continue to fight to end this pandemic, it is important not to lose sight of the different groups who are affected in other ways. We need to take care of those with unintended consequences.”
More than 500,000 Americans have died of opioid overdoses – prescription and over-the-counter – since 1999.
Corporate drugmakers such as Purdue Pharma have been taken to court on criminal charges for their efforts to push unnecessary sales of prescription opioids, which has fueled a nationwide addiction crisis.
Illicitly manufactured fentanyl has been the main cause of the recent increase in overdose deaths, the CDC said.
Canada on Wednesday said it had also seen an increase in the number of opioid deaths this year.
Experts said opioid users were at increased risk in part because of unemployment and homelessness during the pandemic.
According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), more than 81,000 drug overdose deaths were recorded in the United States from the year to May, the highest number on record in a 12-month period.
He said the latest data showed an acceleration in overdose deaths since the pandemic took hold earlier this year.
“The disruption of daily life from the COVID-19 pandemic has hit people with substance use disorders hard,” CDC Director Robert Redfield said.
“As we continue to fight to end this pandemic, it is important not to lose sight of the different groups who are affected in other ways. We need to take care of those with unintended consequences.”
More than 500,000 Americans have died of opioid overdoses – prescription and over-the-counter – since 1999.
Corporate drugmakers such as Purdue Pharma have been taken to court on criminal charges for their efforts to push unnecessary sales of prescription opioids, which has fueled a nationwide addiction crisis.
Illicitly manufactured fentanyl has been the main cause of the recent increase in overdose deaths, the CDC said.
Canada on Wednesday said it had also seen an increase in the number of opioid deaths this year.
Experts said opioid users were at increased risk in part because of unemployment and homelessness during the pandemic.
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