NEW YORK (AP) — The number of U.S. fatal overdoses fell last year, according to Centers for Disease Control and Prevention data posted Wednesday. Agency officials noted the data is provisional and could change after more analysis, but that they still expect a drop when the final counts are in. It would be only the second annual decline since the current national drug death epidemic began more than three decades ago. Experts reacted cautiously. One described the decline as relatively small, and said it should be thought more as part of a leveling off than a decrease. Another noted that the last time a decline occurred — in 2018 — drug deaths shot up in the years that followed. “Any decline is encouraging,” said Brandon Marshall, a Brown University researcher who studies overdose trends. “But I think it’s certainly premature to celebrate or to draw any large-scale conclusions about where we may be headed long-term with this crisis.” |
Infographic: Xizang witnesses astounding development 72 years after peaceful liberationOverseas experts hail Xi's notion of building modern Chinese civilizationTwins use a sevenRangers' reliever Burke breaks his nonFeature: Rafah drowning in tears as Palestinians bid farewell to loved ones for survivalXi visits floodTop leadership hails efforts in flood controlFull Text: Remarks by Chinese President Xi Jinping at ChinaRangers' reliever Burke breaks his nonPreserving world