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DC Opioid Deaths Increased in 2019
DC likely will see a dramatic increase in opioid-related deaths in 2019, according to the CDC.
While final data is just becoming available, the District is estimated to see a 24% increase in deaths from opioid use in 2019, according to reports. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention released nationwide data this week for 2018 and most of 2019 and projections show a sharp increase in the District.
While many states are beginning to see a small decline in opioid-related deaths due to prescription reforms, the District and cities like Baltimore are showing an uptick due to numerous factors. A major factor is the presence of fentanyl especially in heroin laced with the opioid. The District saw 281 fatal overdoses in 2017, then saw a decline, but could again be seeing an upswing. The projected number of deaths for last year is 260.
The upward trend comes amidst implementation of the Mayor's Live.Long.DC plan to address the major reasons for substance use disorder. MSDC applauded the plan's reduction in the use of prior authorization in Medicaid plans for OUD treatments but provisional data suggests numerous other factors are driving the death rate higher.
The report also comes at the beginning of the Council's budget process. With the Council currently undergoing executive department performance reviews then budget allocations, the opioid crisis undoubtedly will come up in budget discussions. At the Committee on Health hearing on January 31 for the Mayor's Commission for Healthcare Systems Transformation, CM Vince Gray noted the numbers represent a "trend moving in the wrong direction".
MSDC and its members remain committed to working with the District government and private stakeholders to reduce the number of opioid deaths and addictions in the District.
While many states are beginning to see a small decline in opioid-related deaths due to prescription reforms, the District and cities like Baltimore are showing an uptick due to numerous factors. A major factor is the presence of fentanyl especially in heroin laced with the opioid. The District saw 281 fatal overdoses in 2017, then saw a decline, but could again be seeing an upswing. The projected number of deaths for last year is 260.
The upward trend comes amidst implementation of the Mayor's Live.Long.DC plan to address the major reasons for substance use disorder. MSDC applauded the plan's reduction in the use of prior authorization in Medicaid plans for OUD treatments but provisional data suggests numerous other factors are driving the death rate higher.
The report also comes at the beginning of the Council's budget process. With the Council currently undergoing executive department performance reviews then budget allocations, the opioid crisis undoubtedly will come up in budget discussions. At the Committee on Health hearing on January 31 for the Mayor's Commission for Healthcare Systems Transformation, CM Vince Gray noted the numbers represent a "trend moving in the wrong direction".
MSDC and its members remain committed to working with the District government and private stakeholders to reduce the number of opioid deaths and addictions in the District.
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