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.”
Ben Whishaw lights up the Croisette as he joins his co
Kunming Combines Jacaranda Scenery, Cultural Creativity to Boost Tourism
In pics: World Snooker International Championship 2023
Travis Kelce downs whiskey shot on slice of bread at Kelce Jam without Taylor Swift
China Calls for More Efforts to Protect Revolutionary Cultural Relics
China Calls for More Efforts to Protect Revolutionary Cultural Relics
The government wants to buy their flood
Thailand's starters against China in 2026 FIFA World Cup qualifier
Pentagon vows to keep weapons moving to Ukraine as Kyiv faces a renewed assault by Russia
China to Offer 1 Mln Internship Posts for Job Seekers