According to a recent CDC-issued Health Alert Network, drug overdose deaths are at the highest number ever recorded in a 12-month period. Approximately 81,230 drug overdose deaths occurred in the U.S. in the 12 months ending May 2020, with the largest spike after the COVID-19 public health emergency (March-May 2020). Drug overdose deaths were rising before March, but the findings suggest they accelerated during COVID-19, the agency said. Read more.
