US overdose deaths dropped in 2023, the first time since 2018
NEW YORK (AP) — The number of U.S. fatal overdoses fell last year, according to Centers for Disease Control and Prevention data posted Wednesday.
Agency officials noted the data is provisional and could change after more analysis, but that they still expect a drop when the final counts are in. It would be only the second annual decline since the current national drug death epidemic began more than three decades ago.
Experts reacted cautiously. One described the decline as relatively small, and said it should be thought more as part of a leveling off than a decrease. Another noted that the last time a decline occurred — in 2018 — drug deaths shot up in the years that followed.
“Any decline is encouraging,” said Brandon Marshall, a Brown University researcher who studies overdose trends. “But I think it’s certainly premature to celebrate or to draw any large-scale conclusions about where we may be headed long-term with this crisis.”
Related articles
Trump accepts a VP debate but wants it on Fox News. Harris has already said yes to CBS
NEW YORK (AP) — Donald Trump said Friday his campaign has accepted an invitation from Fox News for h2024-05-21Department of Conservation 'spread too thin', Penny Nelson tells select committee
Department of Conservation director-general Penny Nelson says money going into the department gives2024-05-21More than 350 school building projects under review, Ministry of Education documents show
Whether the projects are paused would be "considered on a case-by-case basis", the ministry says. Ph2024-05-21Golriz Ghahraman's law career at risk if convicted, professor says
Former MP Golriz Ghahraman pleaded guilty to shoplifting charges this week. Photo: RNZ/Marika Khabaz2024-05-21What's next for Iran after death of its president in crash?
JERUSALEM (AP) — The death of Iran’s president is unlikely to lead to any immediate changes in Iran’2024-05-21More videos of Kiwi hostage Philip Mehrtens in Papua warn against Indonesian military air strikes
New Zealand pilot Philip Mehrtens was photographed with his rebel captors in Indonesia's Papua regio2024-05-21
atest comment