opiod crisis Tag

Drug Overdoses Now Leading Cause of Preventable Deaths in U.S.

Drug overdoses are now the leading cause of death among Americans under the age of 50. Public health experts estimate that 2016 drug overdose deaths exceeded 59,000; the largest year over year increase ever recorded in the United States, according to data compiled by The New York Times. The increase represents an estimated 19 percent jump over 2015 opioid prescription deaths which saw 52,404 recorded drug overdose deaths. First half of the year numbers indicate that the problem is only getting worse in 2017.

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