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CDC Estimates A Record Number Of People Died Of Overdoses In 2017

Experts point to two contributing factors: More Americans are using opioids, and drugs are becoming more deadly.
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The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention estimates a record number of people died from drug overdoses in 2017.

The CDC estimates around 72,000 people fatally overdosed. Experts point to two contributing factors: More Americans are using opioids, and drugs are becoming more deadly. 

In response to the crisis, hard-hit areas like New England and parts of Ohio took measures to combat the epidemic. Those areas did see a drop in overdose deaths over the course of the year, and that trend has continued into 2018. 

The Trump administration has declared the opioid crisis a national public health emergency. States now have access to $1 billion in grand funds to cope with the epidemic.