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
Who is Jacob Zuma, the former South African president disqualified from next week's election?
JOHANNESBURG (AP) — Former South African President Jacob Zuma was barred Monday from running for Par2024-05-21Total solar eclipse: What's the path and what to know for Monday April 8
North America is on the verge of another masking of the sun.Monday’s total solar eclipse will make l2024-05-21China sanctions 2 US defense companies and says they support arms sales to Taiwan
BEIJING (AP) — China on Thursday announced rare sanctions against two U.S. defense companies over wh2024-05-21Vikings had windows, another shift away from their image as barbaric Norsemen, Danish museum says
COPENHAGEN, Denmark (AP) — Vikings had windows — usually only associated with medieval churches and2024-05-21Hall of Fame outfielder Ken Griffey Jr. to lead Indianapolis 500 field in Corvette pace car
INDIANAPOLIS (AP) — Hall of Fame outfielder Ken Griffey Jr. will drive the pace car for the 108th ru2024-05-21Solar eclipse sweeps across North America. The moment of totality, in photos
DALLAS (AP) — Millions across North America witnessed the moon block out the sun during a total sola2024-05-21
atest comment