Health
Feds estimate 100,000 Americans in 12-month period died of an overdose, setting record
Health officials say the number is tied to the COVID-19 pandemic and a more dangerous drug supply
November 17, 2021 11:33am
Updated: November 17, 2021 4:24pm
An estimated 100,000 Americans died of drug overdoses in a recent, 12-month period, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention reported Wednesday.
Health officials say the number is tied to the COVID-19 pandemic and a more dangerous drug supply, which includes the deadly filler fentanyl. Overdose deaths have been rising for more than two decades, accelerated in the past two years and increased nearly 30% in the latest one-year period, according to CBS News.