U.S. drug overdoses skyrocket during the pandemic

The number of drug overdose deaths in the U.S. hit a grim record, as the nation simultaneously battled the Covid-19 pandemic. A total of 93,331 Americans died of a drug overdose in 2020, and that represents nearly a 30% increase from the year before, according to preliminary data from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.

Dr. Nora Volkow, Director of the National Institute on Drug Abuse, told CNBC’s “The News with Shepard Smith” that she’s hopeful that the spike in drug overdoses will not be lasting.

“One of the reasons why I’m optimistic ... is that one of the factors that contributed to that increase in drug use was the isolation, social distancing, and that does not allow you to provide Narcan, which reverses overdoses,” said Volkow. “That despair that people felt, hopefully, will start to be mitigated.”

Volkow added that people will now be able to rebuild social support systems that existed before the Covid pandemic and that healthcare systems will be able to refocus on providing treatment for opioid abuse disorder.

The U.S. also recorded the most deaths from opioid overdoses in 2020, and more than 60% of those deaths involved fentanyl. Host Shepard Smith asked Volkow why fentanyl played such a massive role in the drug overdoses. Volkow explained that it had to do with potency and pricing.

“Fentanyl is a very potent drug, and it’s actually 50 times more potent than heroin, and so you need smaller volumes to produce the same effect,” Volkow said. “So it actually provides a big profit for the illicit drug market, and it’s been used to actually contaminate other drugs, and so when you mix fentanyl with drugs like methamphetamine or cocaine, you make them so much more lethal.”

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[milesmiller]

my brother almost died in my arms tonite, he took 1 hit of fetynal and started going pale and not breathing I had to do cpr. It's a miracle he's alive

[maxcovfefe]

We're all being punished for other people's addictions. People ABUSING their prescriptions by *TAKING MORE THAN PRESCRIBED, * and now actual patients with actual pain are paying the price. I'm a cancer patient. This month I had to run from pharmacy to pharmacy trying to get my pain prescription filled. I can't take Vicodin due to the way the Tylenol in it makes my liver enzymes spike. So my doc switched me to a low dose of Oxy, which now my insurance won't cover anymore, AND the generics are all sold out and not being manufactured anymore due to these law suits about people taking MORE THAN PRESCRIBED! It's 1 pill per day, so once and done. *HOW can you even overdose on it if you're following doctor's orders???*

[mikebarrett]

Having a hard time believing that woman can’t instantly remember how her children died. Kinda something that would be imprinted in your brain.

[swavekbu]

Crime and overdose deaths are through the ceiling, kids lost a year of education and socialization, but hey, so long as you didn't get COVID-19 that has an extremely high rate of recovery, that's all that matters.

[letmedream]

wonder if open borders has something to do with it. FJB

[catmom]

I really empathise with these drug addicts who get addicted & overdosed. However, in order to "fight" this opioid crisis, healthcare workers are now denying real pain patients narcotics. I have had a lot of considerable pain which was covered by the narcotics I was prescribed years ago, but now I can get zero help for my pain. I'm not an addict; I've never overdosed or even take a "little too much" of my prescribed meds. I think it's a real tragedy that so many of us have to suffer due to drug abusers. As I have looked into this, I found there are many of us in excruciating pain due to lack of adequate pain management. That's just plain mean.

[Heavenlyrules]

everything that has a direct, strong effect on neuro system, and parts of endocrine system, should be avoided at all cost, unless for treatment reason with tight control of use by physician, opioid, alcohol, weed, tobacco, You name it, hard to understand some take them for recreational means

[jasonseiler]

Drug addicts really deserve what they're going through. What they do to other people, and the people who sell drugs do to keep their business isn't. We need to quit spending money keeping around this kind of danger.

[ericlipps]

Already topped last year's deaths it's only August. Also lost a nephew 2 years ago to fentanyl.

[tylerklein]

It is sad but also is not too surprising to me that more people are dying from drugs since so many people idolize musicians that literally glorify drug use it’s sad that this is seen as acceptable behavior by a lot of people and is tolerated by the public and leading officials and representatives we as the people have to make a stand against media that promotes bad practices

[craig]

It might take several norcan doses because they don't want those people to survive. But the people trying to save them do want them to survive. This would have never happened if the government didn't start taking people off their prescribed medicine. Obviously by doing that it created a black market what do you expect ?

[charlottehigginbotham]

100, 000 death's! Really! These drug's are used for chronic pain and youngsters are dying! So, problematic.

[sparkdee]

Disorder?? All the tricks in the world wont stop this boomerang from hitting it sender.

[vantonio]

I am waiting to hear the talkshow host and tv presenter who bash PRESIDENT DUTERTE on his war on drugs. Where are they now?

[veezo]

NO DUH....WITH ALL THAT FREE MONEY AND PEOPLE WITH NO JOBS, OF COURSE PEOPLE IS GOING TO USE THAT MONEY FOR DRUGS AND ALCOHOL!! DUH!!!

[krscott]

How can you help it when your prescription medication is tainted and officials were aware of it!

[milesmiller]

Narcon company manufacturers fetynal lol

[rayj.]

What's the big problem if junkies die from an overdose ??? Good riddance i say.

[johnneal]

US is really good at being overweight & overdosing.. Sad!

[SeenDsinSGaming]

But they still won't really talk the prescribed addictions in links with ma$$ shootings. But sure it's the illegal drugs that are the only bad guy when people are getting addicted to prescribed opioids after simple injuries.