According to the CDC there were over 32,000 deaths due to the overdose of the powerful and dangerous drug Fentanyl. This was a 14% increase from 2017. The use of Fentanyl has now become an epidemic in our country. The prevention of this epidemic has received significant attention by our United States government and researchers in general.
A 2019 research study has just been released by Drug Strategies and Shatterproof. It is a rather comprehensive analysis of this epidemic and contributes some promising research that can lower the death rate due to overdoses of Fentanyl.
Here is a quote from the summary of this research as published by Shatterproof:
This report reviews data from states that suffered the highest number of fentanyl overdose deaths from 2011 through 2017: Ohio, New York, Florida, Massachusetts, Pennsylvania, Maryland, Michigan, North Carolina, and Illinois. Additionally, the report includes West Virginia and New Hampshire because they reported the highest numbers of fentanyl overdose deaths compared to their population size.
After reviewing this data, the report identifies a number of promising state initiatives that are already in place and having a positive effect on curbing overdose deaths. It also recommends several new strategies that states should adopt in order to save the most lives.
I think every elected official, legislator and other decision-makers should be aware of the information in this report. This epidemic is devastating to those who are taking this drug, their families and their communities. We must be aware of the statistics but also the attempts to lower the death rate for users of Fentanyl. Some of the strategies are great beginnings to prevent these deaths and realize some positive change from this horrendous epidemic.
I appreciate so much the work of Shatterproof to raise our awareness about this issue and advocate for treatment and proven methods to reduce these thousands of deaths each year.
This is a lengthy but helpful report for all of us to be aware of.
Gerry Vassar
President/CEO
