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