This is the first time that the symbolic bar of 100,000 deaths has been exceeded. Between April 2020 and April 2021, during the Covid-19 pandemic, the United States counted 100,306 fatal overdoses, an increase of 28.5% compared to the same period the previous year (78,056 deaths), according to provisional figures released Wednesday, November 17 by centers for the prevention and fight against diseases.
“These overdoses are largely caused by synthetic opiates, mainly fentanyl manufactured illegally”Deb Houry, CDC official, told a press conference.
“Tackle addiction”
“My administration is committed to doing everything in its power to tackle addiction and put an end to this epidemic of overdoses”, reacted in a press release President Joe Biden. “As we continue to make progress in defeating the Covid-19 pandemic, we cannot ignore this epidemic of disappearances, which has affected families and communities across the country”, he added.
The US government has announced plans to improve access to naloxone, an antidote capable of countering an overdose. “It’s time to recognize that this crisis seems to be getting worse, we need everyone on the bridge”, added the American health secretary, Xavier Becerra, to journalists.