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November 18, 2021

U.S. Overdose Deaths Topped 100,000 in One Year For First Time Ever
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The Centers for Disease Control reports the United States saw more than
100,000 drug overdose deaths over a 12-month period ending in April, a
nearly 30-percent increase over the previous year. It's the first time
annual U.S. overdose deaths reached six figures. Advocates say that
isolation and stress brought on by the pandemic led to higher rates of
drug abuse. Opioids including the powerful drug fentanyl accounted for
about three-quarters of all overdose deaths.


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