Proactive is the Key

Not Latin American cartels or Afghan warlords, but advocates for opioid treatment of chronic pain, and pharmaceutical firms with a substantial financial interest in selling opioids.

A startling report from CDC:

US overdose deaths fell 27% in 2024 in largest one-year decline ever

In real numbers, that translates to an estimated 80,000 people who died from overdose in 2024, as opposed to 110,000 in 2023.

It’s a tremendous drop. Apparently the previous largest single year decline was a measly 4%, back in 2018. Only Nevada and South Dakota were exceptions. Both experienced a slight increase.

A few highlights:

The change represents 70-plus fewer fatalities on each day in 2024.
There have been corresponding (if smaller) decreases in nonfatal overdoses as well-- also welcome news.

However, the death toll is still higher than before the COViD pandemic began, and overdose remains the leading cause of death for Americans between the ages of 18-44.

Assuming the new report is accurate-- I'm sure some experts will have questions, given the changes at CDC-- what could account for such a significant decline in the course of a single year?

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A Bad Test Result

I don’t know how often we question the findings, but it makes me think that a critical examination of our own procedures, say on a quarterly and yearly basis, might be a heck of a good idea.

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Ancestry of Alcohol

It’s easy to understand how primates and other animals discovered fermentation — it happens naturally when fruit is left to lay around.

Ancestry of Alcohol

It’s easy to understand how primates and other animals discovered fermentation — it happens naturally when fruit is left to lay around.

Life in a Hot Spot

Make it a continuing effort, using strategies based in evidence, and harnessing the power of human interaction-- instead of relying on a burst of anti-drug education, however intense.

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“It was never a problem”

That's important in a treatment context, because a history of multiple drug use means they will be tempted to focus on one substance --  their "drug of choice", whatever they may feel that is -- while minimizing the importance of the others.

“It was never a problem”

That's important in a treatment context, because a history of multiple drug use means they will be tempted to focus on one substance --  their "drug of choice", whatever they may feel that is -- while minimizing the importance of the others.

Exercising for Chronic Pain Relief

We've known for several decades that regular exercise, even the mild sort, helps lessen symptoms of depression. It comes as no surprise that it may also help with CPS and the mood problems that accompany it.

Drugs in Jail

If 70% or more of a jail population has been identified as having a drug or alcohol problem – that does happen – then what you’re really operating is a treatment center that happens to have bars on the windows and guards at the entrance.

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