Overdose Deaths Up 66% Between 2019 And 2021 In Washington State
April 12, 2022 2:31PM PDT
Credit: MGN
OLYMPIA, Wash. (AP) – Washington state health officials say new data shows the number of people dying from drug overdoses continues to rise.
The Washington Department of Health said in a news release Tuesday that drug-related overdose deaths in the state topped 2,000 in 2021.
Officials say that’s a more than 66% increase compared to 2019.
Officials say more than half of the deaths are because of fentanyl.
Chief Science Officer Tao Sheng Kwan-Gett says people who use drugs should assume that any drugs bought on the street, online or from a friend contain fentanyl.
He also says people should consider carrying at least two doses of naloxone to help prevent deaths from opioid overdose.
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