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(Provided by Gigafact)

Yes.

Deadly drug overdoses in the United States increased about 800% between 1999 and 2022, federal data shows.

In 1999, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention recorded 11,155 overdoses. In 2022, that number rose to 83,558 — a 793% increase. These deaths were deemed unintentional and included fatalities from fentanyl, heroin, cocaine, meth, prescription drugs and more. Deaths per 100,000 people rose 650% during that period, from 4 to 30.

Colorado saw a 655% increase in unintentional overdose deaths between 2000 and 2023, from 219 to 1,654, while deaths per 100,000 people rose 457%. Of the people who died, 11,265 were men and 5,740 were women. Overall, the age group that experienced the most deaths in the state were people ages 35-44. 

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See full source list below.

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References:

U.S. and Colorado Drug Overdose Death Data, Compiled by The Colorado Sun based on the CDC Wonder database and Colorado Department of Public Health and Environment health data, accessed in October 2024. Source link.

Colorado Health Information Dataset, queried for unintentional drug-related overdose 2000-2023, Colorado Department of Public Health and Environment, accessed in October 2024. Source link.

Type of Story: Fact-Check

Checks a specific statement or set of statements asserted as fact.

Por recently graduated from CU Boulder with a master’s degree in journalism and is interested in writing about the environment and exploring local stories. When not working on some form of writing, Por is either looking for Thai food or petting...