U.S. drug deaths declined slightly in 2023 but remained at crisis levels

Before the explosion of fentanyl and methamphetamine use, the U.S. suffered far fewer overdose deaths roughly 53,356 fatalities, for example, in 2015.

The shift from plant-based drugs, like heroin and cocaine, to synthetic, chemical-based drugs, like fentanyl and methamphetamine, has resulted in the most dangerous and deadly drug crisis the United States has ever faced.

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