Column | New drug overdose data provides hope while deaths remain too high
Briefly

Nearly 49 million people had a substance use disorder in 2023, but less than a quarter received treatment, highlighting the ongoing crisis in drug misuse management.
The annual number of drug overdose deaths in the U.S. has more than doubled since 2013, causing significant public health risks and economic costs.
Recent data shows a 12 percent decline in overdose deaths in 2023, marking the largest recorded reduction and contrasting with the sharp rise seen during 2017-2020.
The increased availability of Narcan has played a crucial role in the decline of overdose deaths, with its prescription-free use significantly improving access to this life-saving medication.
Read at Washington Post
[
|
]