A staggering 93,000 Americans lost their lives to drugs last year.
The U.S. experienced the deadliest year in its history in 2020, with more than 3.3 million American lives lost. The Covid-19 pandemic had a lot to do with that, of course, but a CDC report released Wednesday revealed another troubling contribution — a record number of deaths due to drug overdose.
‘A staggering loss of human life’: Overdoses claimed 93,000 lives last year, according to CDC data. That’s a 29% increase from the year before, which was also a record high. To make those numbers more manageable: The 93,000 losses equate to 250 deaths per day — about 11 people every hour.
What’s causing it?: Covid made things worse for people already struggling with addiction, as lockdowns isolated them and made it harder to seek treatment. Plus, they were buying from an “increasingly poisoned drug supply” — the dangerous opioid fentanyl, often mixed with other substances, was a factor in more than 60% of these deaths.
The personal side: When 38-year-old Jordan McGlashen of Michigan lost his job during the pandemic, it marked a “final descent” into his overdose, caused by heroin and fentanyl. “It was really difficult for me to think about the way in which Jordan died,” his brother told the Associated Press. “He was alone and suffering emotionally and felt like he had to use again.”
If you’re struggling with addiction: You don’t have to face it alone. Whether you need help for yourself or a loved one, assistance is available at 1-800-662-HELP (4357), or you can find a local treatment center here.
