ST. PAUL, Minn. (AP) — Drug overdose deaths in Minnesota elevated 31% within the first half of 2020, in comparison with the identical time in 2019, state well being officers stated Thursday.
The Minnesota Division of Well being stated there have been 490 overdose deaths from January to June 2020 and 373 deaths throughout the identical time final yr.
The variety of deaths took a pointy enhance in March, largely pushed by a rise in fatalities attributable to artificial opioids, well being officers stated. About 80% of opioid-involved deaths had been attributed to artificial opioids, that are manufactured medicine that mimic the results of pure opioids.
Minnesota Commissioner of Well being Jan Malcolm stated even throughout the COVID-19 pandemic there may be assist and assist accessible to anybody struggling with dependancy.
“Deaths attributable to overdoses are preventable even amid all of the troubles we’ve had this yr,” Malcolm stated. “We have to work collectively to seek out methods to raised assist these affected by substance use issues, however you will need to know that there are assets accessible and people assets can nonetheless be accessed safely even with COVID-19 restrictions in place.”
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