For the first time in U.S. history, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention has recorded more than 100,000 deaths in 12-month span. Of the 100,000 plus deaths, the CDC reports that 75,000 were the result of opioids. Furthermore, 64,000 of those 75,000 deaths were the result of synthetic opioids fentanyl. Overall, overdose deaths increased by 29% within the 12-month period.
“As we continue to make strides to defeat the COVID-19 pandemic, we cannot overlook this epidemic of loss, which has touched families and communities across the country,” President Joe Biden said about the recent CDC report.
Within the last year, the Biden administration’s American Rescue Plan has invested nearly $4 billion towards mental health and substance abuse disorder support. Still, fast-acting synthetics continue to impact much of the country.
“This crisis is driven by fentanyl and methamphetamine. Today, drug cartels in Mexico are mass producing fentanyl and methamphetamine largely sourced from chemicals in China,” Drug Enforcement Agency Administrator Anne Milgram told The Hill.
“And they’re distributing these substances throughout the United States.”
