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.” |
China's demographic dividend is turning into talent dividendXiong'an emerges as highTory rebels urge Rishi Sunak to ditch controversial smoking ban plan and other 'fundamentally unChildren visit Beijing Auto Museum during winter vacationEvent celebrating upcoming Chinese New Year held in China's Hong KongWomen of She ethnic group dress up to welcome Lunar New Year in Zhejiang2024 Chang'an Light Show starts in Xi'anArticle 20 still leads China's box office chartChildren visit Beijing Auto Museum during winter vacationAnnual Easter Parade and Bonnet Festival held in New York City