Drug overdoses killed a record 100,000 in US during COVID-19 pandemic
A man living on the streets displays what he says is the synthetic drug fentanyl
In a striking assessment, it was revealed that more than 100,000 people have died due to the drug overdoses over a year-long period during the Covid pandemic.This is the highest death toll in a year from drugs ever recorded in the US.
Overdose deaths rose by 28.5% in 12 months ending on this past April, shows data from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.
Also Read:US transgender woman put with three men in jail cell, gets beaten, suffers broken jaw
According to the experts, the overdoses had seen a sharp rise due to the psychological toll of the pandemic and more synthetic opioids like fentanyl in the supply.
Overdoses rose in 46 states of the US. The CDC estimated that 100,306 people died from April 2020 to same month in 2021 with the help of data from death certificates. Around 78,056 deaths were reported the year prior to it.
Also Read:US House censures Republican Paul Gosar for posting violent anime video of killing Democrat
)
Commonwealth Games 2026 Day 10: India's full schedule, medal events and match timings
)
'A kind of madness': Iran vows to target Israeli and US energy infrastructure if attacked as Trump weighs fresh strikes
)
India avoids higher US tariff, secures lower 10% rate. Here's how
)
Hosts India sweep Malaysia for double gold in men’s and women’s Commonwealth Table Tennis finals
)
Lift accident? Maintenance, builders & makers are ALL liable now, rules Supreme Court: 3 major regulations | WION Decodes
)
Monsoon set to strengthen in August as India's rainfall deficit narrows to 14%: IMD
)
23ft python swallows man returning from party in Indonesia; family find body whole inside reptile
)
"Am I Worthy?" Ranbir Kapoor addresses backlash over playing Lord Ram in Ramayana: Part 1
)
Delhi Consumer Court fines Indian Railways Rs 25,000 for making RAC passengers share one blanket
)
Google Earth accidentally creates AI's next misinformation nightmare. 'Create image' feature rolled back over terrifying ques: What's real anymore?
)
60,000 migrants from Morocco flood Spain's Ceuta, EU calls influx unacceptable, Trump warns US
&im=FitAndFill=(700,400))
'Fifth-generation fighters': Can the S-400 shoot down an F-35?
)
Buying Russian oil could cost India dearly? MEA breaks silence on US 100% tariff bill
)
Who is Ruchika Singh, booked for using foul language against PM Modi at Jantar Mantar protests?
)
The Royals enter the Doctor Who universe: King Charles and Queen Camilla beam into Commonwealth Games in TARDIS
)
Trump says Iranian school bombing photos could be AI-generated - 'I don’t think...'
)
What are Italy’s Schengen rules with Spain and why has Meloni suspended them? WION Decodes
)
US offers $15mn reward to dismantle alleged IRGC drone funding network
)
'Living Nostradamus' warns of a new war, claims two of his 2026 predictions have come true
)
iPhone 18 Pro could be Apple's biggest price jump in years, says new leak
)
WWE SummerSlam 2026 Match Card: Night 1 & Night 2 schedule, main events & full lineup
)
Have 7,000 Karnataka students tested positive for HIV? Here's the truth
)
Trump Dashes Zelensky's Patriot Dream as Putin Exploits Ukraine's Air Defence Gap
)
Trump warns US could see migrant ‘invasion’ of Spain if Democrats win midterms
)
'I was almost trafficked in Paris,' says Australian woman, shares terrifying ordeal - 'I am on the black market'
)
Arunachal CM Pema Khandu ranks India's 4th richest CM, wealthiest in Northeast: ADR report
&im=FitAndFill=(700,400))
‘Italy will not...’: Meloni threatens Spain’s Schengen access after thousands enter Ceuta from Morocco
)
NEET Protests riddled with misinformation? Delhi Police blocks 480 Pakistan-based handles spreading 'fake news' since Operation Sindoor
)
Indian forces used pellet guns on Jul 20? SC hearing, police diary entry, MLC report and injured protesters' claims
)
Pakistan avalanche: Four bodies found as search for Nirmal Purja and 9 other climbers enters critical phase
)
Spider-Man producer Amy Pascal reveals why she warned Tom Holland and Zendaya against dating
)
How CIA & Mossad are trying to trace Mojtaba Khamenei using human intelligence
)
Shehzad Poonawalla, BJP's national spokesperson quits politics? Here's what sparked social media buzz
The highest rise in overdose deaths was recorded in Vermont, where the fatalities rose by 70% to 209. The number of deaths in the country from drugs has surpassed those from car crashes, guns and the flu.
Katherine Keyes, a drug abuse expert and associate professor of epidemiology, Columbia University, told the BBC that although overdose deaths have been rising for several years, the pandemic "added fuel to that fire".
(With inputs from agencies)