U.S. Drug Overdose Deaths Hit Record High in 2021
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According to new Centers for Disease Control and Prevention data, an estimated 107,622 Americans died from drug overdoses in 2021, a 15% increase from the previous year. Fentanyl, a powerful synthetic opioid, was involved in the most deaths.
Opioids were again responsible for the vast majority (75%) of overdose deaths in the country. Deaths by overdose may involve multiple drugs; therefore, a single death might be included in more than one drug category. Here is the drug breakdown of overdose deaths in 2021:
- Fentanyl: 71,238
- Methamphetamine: 32,856
- Cocaine: 24,538
- Prescription pain medications: 13,503
Overdose deaths have been on the rise for years in the United States, but they surged during the pandemic, especially in its first year. For perspective, annual deaths were nearly 50% higher in 2021 than in 2019.
Throughout the pandemic, experts noticed an uptick in substance abuse amid widespread unemployment and more Americans reporting mental health issues, such as anxiety and depression. Even as the pandemic ends, it won’t be a quick switch back to normalcy since these conditions will need to be addressed and treated.
Treatment, or the lack thereof, is a crucial reason overdose numbers continue to rise. Drug abuse treatment was lacking even before the pandemic. According to the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, more than 20 million people age 12 and older reported having a substance abuse disorder in 2019—but only 10% were receiving care.
“You won’t see a reversal in the same way you saw the acceleration because these drug distribution networks and addiction become embedded in the community. And it’s not like they turn off overnight.”
-Katherine Keyes, associate professor at Columbia University Mailman School of Public Health
What’s Next?
Undoubtedly, the pandemic accelerated trends already heading in the wrong direction. Reversing this course will take concentrated efforts—and time.
May is designated as Mental Health Awareness Month in the United States. Mental health problems and substance use disorders sometimes co-occur. This month is a reminder to check in with yourself and others living with mental health conditions and facing substance abuse. If you have concerns, reach out to a doctor or use the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration’s National Helpline by calling 800-662-HELP (4357).
- Published in Blog
More Drugs, Less Money
By Alison Nelson, Account Manager
You may know him from Shark Tank or as the owner of the Mavericks, but you may soon know Mark Cuban as the man disrupting the pharmaceutical industry. It was recently announced that, billionaire Mark Cuban, has launched an online pharmacy boasting significant savings when compared to some traditional pharmacies. What makes this online pharmacy, Cost Plus Drug Company, stand out is their commitment to pricing transparency.
Cost Plus Drug Company is basing their prices on a 15% markup from the manufacturer cost and a $3 labor charge. This results in candid transparency on how much prescriptions costs to make. One of the medications listed on their website, estimates a $6,112.28 savings. The pharmaceutical industry is often associated with price gouging, prompting anticipation to see how other pharmacies respond.
To read more about Cost Plus Drug Company, read this NPR article or visit their website here.
- Published in Blog
Dazed and Confused
By Bailey Penrose, Employer Services Account Manager
Marijuana is becoming a problem, y’all. Not from any philosophical or moral viewpoint (that’s an individual’s point of view and out of my purview) but from an employment standpoint. As it currently stands, 36 US states and 4 US territories have legalized cannabis products for medicinal use; 18 US states, 2 US territories, and the District of Columbia have legalized cannabis products for recreational use. On the flip side, on the federal level the use of cannabis products for either medicinal or recreational purposes is totally illegal.
The divide between state and federal regulation is causing some distinct headaches as employers and individual’s try to understand which standard to follow. We don’t have to look very far to see examples of this. Just look at the headlines from the beginning of July, where athlete Sha’Carri Richardson ran afoul of differing rules:
Guidance is still coming, but I’m afraid it’s going to be a little bumpy as the US feels it’s way through the quagmire. Please see the articles included here for more information on how these regulations realistically apply to employers and their employees.
Weed at Work: Must Employers Accommodate Medical Use?
How Should HR Respond to Federal Marijuana Legalization?
Alaska Drug and Alcohol Testing Laws
Legalized Marijuana and Employment – Off-Duty Use and Drug Testing
- Published in Blog