Prescription Painkiller Overdose Deaths Tripled in Decade, CDC Reports

Why it matters locally: Virginia has been significantly affected by the opioid crisis, with prescription painkillers contributing to a substantial portion of overdose deaths in the state in recent years.

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Atlanta — Overdose deaths involving prescription painkillers have increased significantly over the last decade, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention reported today. The CDC's Vital Signs report indicates that fatalities linked to these drugs have more than tripled. The analysis, spearheaded by CDC researchers, examined data related to prescription opioid overdoses across the United States. The findings underscore a growing public health concern related to the misuse and abuse of these medications. The CDC plans to release further details and recommendations in subsequent publications to address the rise in opioid-related deaths. Further studies, according to CDC officials, will examine the demographics of those affected, the specific types of painkillers involved in overdoses, and the geographic distribution of the problem. Prevention strategies and treatment options will also be addressed.