More than 100,000 Americans have died of drug overdoses over a year-long period during the Covid-19 pandemic.
It is the highest yearly death toll from drugs ever recorded in the US. Data from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention shows that overdose deaths rose 28.5% in the 12 months ending this past April.
Experts believe that overdoses likely spiked because of the psychological toll of the pandemic and more synthetic opioids like fentanyl in the supply. Overdoses rose in all but four of 50 US states.
Using data from death certificates, the CDC estimates that 100,306 people between April 2020 and April 2021, compared to 78,056 deaths reported the year prior.
The U.S. states with the biggest percentage spike in overdose deaths were Vermont at 70%, followed by West Virginia (62.2%) and Kentucky (54.5%).
Source: BBC
In other news – Actor Muzi Mthabela Joins Generations: The Legacy
Fan-favourite soapie, Generations: The Legacy, has acquired a new talent to join the cast. It was recently announced that Muzi Mthabela would be starting on the show soon.
Muzi is best known for his role as Duma Ngema on the hit TV show Isibaya on Mzansi Magic. He was a fan favourite for seven years, before he had to leave. Learn more
