AFP, Miami :
More people died of drug overdoses last year in the United States than ever before, largely due to disturbing increases in prescription painkillers and heroin use, health authorities said Friday.
Health chiefs warned of a surging opioid “epidemic” that is ripping families and communities apart.
More than 47,000 people died last year from drugs, higher than during any previous year on record, said the report by the US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). Deaths due to opioid overdoses jumped 14 per cent in just one year, said the CDC’s Morbidity and Mortality Weekly Report.
Six in 10 of all drug overdose deaths were due to opioids, which may include either pill-based medications to dull pain or the street drug heroin
More people died of drug overdoses last year in the United States than ever before, largely due to disturbing increases in prescription painkillers and heroin use, health authorities said Friday.
Health chiefs warned of a surging opioid “epidemic” that is ripping families and communities apart.
More than 47,000 people died last year from drugs, higher than during any previous year on record, said the report by the US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). Deaths due to opioid overdoses jumped 14 per cent in just one year, said the CDC’s Morbidity and Mortality Weekly Report.
Six in 10 of all drug overdose deaths were due to opioids, which may include either pill-based medications to dull pain or the street drug heroin
