Good news is always welcome, but usually hard to come by especially with big issues.
Even still, hopes are dashed when we constantly see one step forward and five steps backwards. The drug epidemic and overdose deaths that followed it have been disheartening, unsettling and seemingly insurmountable. Until now. A variety of factors are in play, but the bottom line is that drug deaths are plummeting and showing no signs of stopping.
“I’ve been tracking something really cool and mysterious happening on American streets. For the first time in 30 years, drug deaths are plunging at a rate that addiction experts say is hopeful — but also baffling,” says NPR reporter Brian Mann. Nationwide deaths have decreased by 26%. Historically we saw decreases of 8-9%. Some states are even seeing 30-50% decreases. There are five states that are still showing an increase in deaths.
