<p>Record-high 96,779 drug overdose deaths reported from March 2020 to March 2021</p>
<p>In policy recommendations, AMA calls for removal of barriers to evidence-based care</p>
<p>Populations at higher risk for methamphetamine use disorder diversifying rapidly</p>
<p>In 2019, xylazine contributed to death in 64 percent of cases and almost always also involved fentanyl</p>
<p>No significant change seen in overdose death rates overall from 2018 to 2019, but rate increased among non-Hispanic Blacks</p>
<p>Benzodiazepine deaths increased from April-June 2019 to April-June 2020, with larger increase for illicit benzodiazepine deaths</p>
<p>Rates of overdose, mental health crises increased after dose tapering among patients prescribed stable, long-term, higher-dose opioid therapy</p>
<p>Increases seen in overdose deaths from opioids, as well as cocaine and psychostimulants</p>
<p>Weekly median overdose deaths increased by 50 percent after stay-at-home order</p>
<p>8-mg dose of naloxone hydrochloride nasal spray now approved with 2-mg and 4-mg doses</p>