Drug overdoses hit new high in 2017 — CDC
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention estimates a record number of people died from drug overdoses in 2017. The death toll is higher than the peak yearly death totals from HIV, vehicle crashes or gun deaths. Experts point to two contributing factors: More Americans are using opioids, and drugs are becoming more deadly. Parts of Appalachia and New England showed the highest mortality rates. Massachusetts, Rhode Island and Vermont all saw declines. Trump has also set up a presidential council to address the problem. “A majority of abused prescription drugs were obtained from family and friends, often from the home medicine cabinet”, Ebied said. “Because of the forces of stigma, the population is reluctant to seek care”. There were 10,684 overdose deaths from these drugs in 2016. Ciccarone said the real number could be as high as 4 million. >click to read<11:02
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