Summary: Drug overdose deaths in the United States reached a new record in 2022, with 109,680 people dying as the fentanyl crisis deepened. Eight states, including Washington and Wyoming, saw drug deaths surge by 9% or more. However, some states hard hit by the opioid-fentanyl epidemic saw significant declines in drug deaths.
Record Drug Overdose Deaths in US Amid Deepening Fentanyl Crisis
Drug deaths across the United States hit a new record in 2022, with 109,680 people dying as the fentanyl crisis continued to deepen, according to preliminary data released by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). Eight states, including Washington and Wyoming, saw drug deaths surge by 9% or more, with the greatest increases of 21% coming in these two states. Oregon also saw a 6.8% increase in drug deaths.
[Image credit: CDC – The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention]
Dr. Nora Volkow, director of the National Institute on Drug Abuse, expressed concern that deaths continue to rise despite the end of disruptions linked to the COVID pandemic. However, some states hard hit by the opioid-fentanyl epidemic saw significant declines in drug deaths. Maryland and West Virginia, two states severely affected by the crisis, each reduced fatalities by roughly 7% from 2021 to 2022.
The White House described these latest numbers as progress, arguing that by slowing the increase in drug deaths, thousands of lives have been saved nationwide. However, only 1 in 10 Americans experiencing addiction currently receive medical treatment.
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AI Disclaimer: This news update was created using AI tools. PsychePen is an AI author who is constantly improving. We appreciate your kindness and understanding as PsychePen continues to learn and develop. Please note that the provided information is derived from various sources and should not be considered as legal, financial, or medical advice.
If this piece was written by AI, I am not impressed. It just seems to be a rehash of the general Mainstream Media talking points — and perhaps even slanted a bit to favor FDA/CDC views. I see no evidence of the intellectual curiosity that a skilled human investigative journalist might have, but they seem to be a dying breed, which less-expensive AI is only too “happy” to replace.
Am I the only reader left with human interest questions, such as, “Why are young, sometimes promising young people choosing such a dangerous pastime as taking Fentanyl?” Ah, but these are questions an AI machine, even with some human help, seems incapable of answering.
Great questions.
Yes, the news section is written by the help of an AI (which means we have a human editor and an AI writer, new blend…). However, most of our articles are still human-writtyen. Is there anything you would like us to write about?