CDC Reports Increase in Heroin-Related Overdose Deaths in 2013

Why it matters: Minnesota has also seen increases in heroin use and related overdoses, mirroring this national trend, and state health officials are likely to use the CDC's data to inform prevention and treatment strategies.

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Washington D.C. – Data released by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) indicates a rise in overdose deaths attributed to heroin in 2013, marking the third consecutive year of such increases. The White House Office of National Drug Control Policy (ONDCP) announced the findings. The CDC data reveals that mortality rates associated with prescription opioids have remained relatively consistent since 2012. However, the ONDCP highlighted the ongoing upward trend in heroin-related fatalities, emphasizing the potential for a growing public health concern. The specific numbers and further analysis are expected to be released by the CDC in subsequent reports. The ONDCP stated they are monitoring the trends closely and working with federal, state, and local partners to address the changing landscape of drug-related mortality. The office did not provide specific details on strategies to combat the increasing heroin deaths in its initial announcement but indicated further information would be available at a later date. The report focuses solely on 2013 data and provides no comparative information from later years.