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.” |
As Victoria Beckham turns 50, the moneyHow middleConan O'Brien reveals the WORST 'amateur move' a talkDAN WOOTTON: Has Meghan swerved the Coronation because she can't stand the thought of being booed?How middleIndiana mother Raeleigh Phillips charged with murdering nineEMMA COWING: A precious glimpse into the Queen's happy homeSeafood shocker: Warning shrimp and lobster contain dangerous levels of cancerKristin Smart's murderer Paul Flores is stabbed in California jailNZ to give $6m in humanitarian aid to Sudan and Gaza