Trump's Drug Policies Are Saving Lives, First Drop in Overdose Deaths in Decades
The administration of President Donald Trump has been working hard to implement impactful policies to slow the massive opioid crisis in America. And now we know it’s working.
For the first time in decades, the number of deaths due to drug overdose declined in 2018.
The decline, as reported in preliminary numbers released by the federal government Wednesday, show that Trump’s policies are saving lives.
“The latest provisional data on overdose deaths show that America’s united efforts to curb opioid use disorder and addiction are working,” Health and Human Services Secretary Alex Azar said in a statement Wednesday. “Lives are being saved, and we’re beginning to win the fight against this crisis.”
According to the Washington Examiner, the 5.1 percent drop in drug overdose deaths is the first decline since 1990.
“The steepest declines occurred primarily in areas that have been hit hardest by the opioid crisis, such as Ohio, Kentucky, South Dakota, and Alaska,” the Examiner reported.
“Lives are being saved, and we’re beginning to win the fight against this crisis,” Azar said.
The HHS secretary wasn’t shy about giving Trump the credit.
“Under President Trump’s leadership, and thanks to efforts on the ground by communities across America, the number of patients receiving medication assisted treatment has risen, distribution of overdose-reversing drugs is up, and nationwide opioid prescriptions are down,” Azar said.
But the battle isn’t over. There is much work to be done.
“While the declining trend of overdose deaths is an encouraging sign, by no means have we declared victory against the epidemic or addiction in general,” Azar said.
Cocaine, fentanyl and methamphetamine deaths are trending upward. And not slowly.
Yes, drug overdose deaths declined slightly in 2018, assuming the CDC’s estimates hold (they generally don’t change much). pic.twitter.com/JJvPTO6mGg
— Charles Fain Lehman (@CharlesFLehman) July 17, 2019
But if you decompose by *type* of drug, you see why: a big drop in prescription deaths, and a slight drop in heroin deaths. pic.twitter.com/iqrLyV9TWR
— Charles Fain Lehman (@CharlesFLehman) July 17, 2019
The decrease in overdose deaths, while encouraging, is still just a first step in the right direction.
“This crisis developed over two decades and it will not be solved overnight,” Azar said. “We also face other emerging threats, like concerning trends in cocaine and methamphetamine overdoses. President Trump and HHS will continue to provide the resources and support communities, families, and individuals in our collective efforts to prevent and treat addiction.”
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