CDC Report Links Methadone to Overdose Deaths

Why it matters locally: Nevada has experienced above-average opioid overdose mortality rates in recent years, making this CDC finding on methadone's disproportionate role in overdose deaths particularly relevant for state public health officials and treatment providers.

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Methadone prescriptions represented approximately 2% of all painkiller prescriptions in the United States in 2009. However, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention reported that the drug was involved in over 30% of prescription painkiller overdose deaths during the same year. The CDC released these findings in a Vital Signs report today. The report highlights a disproportionate impact of methadone on overdose fatalities relative to its prescription frequency. Further analysis is anticipated to investigate the reasons behind this disparity.