How many people in the U.S. died from fentanyl in 2023?
Former President Donald Trump and President Joe Biden were both asked about fatal drug overdoses and addiction during the CNN Presidential Debate Thursday, touching on a years-long epidemic that has touched tens of thousands of lives across the country.
Fewer Americans died of drug overdoses nationwide last year, marking the first annual drop since 2018, according to Centers for Disease Control and Prevention estimates released mid-May. CDC statistics indicate a 3% drop in fatal overdoses between 2022 and 2023.
Though numbers have been dropping over the last few years, the overall rate of deaths from drug overdose has quadrupled over the previous two decades, primarily fueled by the highly lethal drug fentanyl.
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For fentanyl or synthetic opioid deaths specifically, there has also been a slight drop over the last few years, going from 76,226 American deaths in 2022 to 74,702 deaths in 2023.
Fentanyl is a synthetic opioid up to 100 times more potent than morphine and up to 50 times more powerful than heroin, according to the CDC. It is used legally to treat severe pain, and the recent fentanyl-related deaths are linked to illegally made drugs.
More: Behind the podium: Highlights of the 2024 Presidential debate
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For resources or support with substance use disorder, you can visit the SAMHSA.gov website or call 1-800-662-HELP (4357). Partnership to End Addiction’s SAFE Locator can help identify various treatment options across ages.
Kathryn Palmer is an elections fellow for USA TODAY. Reach her at kapalmer@gannett.com and follow her on X @KathrynPlmr.
This article originally appeared on Palm Springs Desert Sun: How many U.S. fentanyl deaths happened in 2023?
