Drug overdoses declined over last year

Overdose deaths are declining as fentanyl gets less potent, drug users test supply

What you probably already know: For the last seven months, the number of people who have died from drug overdoses have declined, a shift that’s being called a “remarkable reversal” of previous trends. Deaths fell to 97,000 in June, a drop below the 113,000 people who died in the previous year, according to the Centers for Disease Control. That has many asking why this sudden shift, after decades of increases. The Drug Enforcement Administration said last week that the fentanyl that has been hitting the streets is less potent than it used to be, which is likely at least partially responsible for the decline.

Why? The DEA and other government agencies are also cracking down on Mexican cartels and the supply chains that bring the drugs in the U.S. They have also targeted the chemicals used to make fentanyl. Additionally, nonprofits and government groups have ramped up distribution of overdose reversal medications such as Narcan, and encouraged people to test their drugs with test strips for fentanyl before they take them.

What it means: There’s also been a rise in interest in other drugs that are then mixed with fentanyl, including xylazine, a tranquilizer that is often used on animals. Because it’s a tranquilizer, addicts often are sedated for hours, reducing the amount of fentanyl they consume. The drug, of course, has its own side effects including skin ulcers that can result in limb amputations, but it is less likely to be immediately lethal. Additionally, there’s been an increase in demand for methamphetamine and cocaine, which are also less lethal.

What happens now? Researchers have suggested that the prevalence of campaigns about fentanyl-tainted drug supplies have also resulted in drug users being more cautious and making efforts to test their drugs. Experts worry the news could result in organizations and governments pulling back from the intense focus this issue has had in recent years. Rather, the data suggests the efforts underway are working, and that continued emphasis is saving lives.