A CDC Vital Signs report, using drug overdose data from the State Unintentional Drug Overdose Reporting System (SUDORS), found concerning trends and widening disparities between different population groups. From 2019 to 2020, overdose deaths increased 44% for Black people and 39% for American Indian and Alaska Native (AI/AN) people. In addition, the percentage receiving treatment was lowest for Black, Hispanic, and American Indian or Alaska Native racial and ethnic groups.
Drug overdoses are preventable. The overdose crisis, particularly among people from racial and ethnic minority groups, is best addressed through tailored prevention and treatment efforts. It's time to identify and incorporate cultural, economic, and structural factors that increase risk for overdose and prevent certain groups from getting and staying in treatment and recovery. Tailored prevention and treatment efforts are important components to restoring optimal health for all. (author introduction)