Between 2019 and 2020, illicitly manufactured fentanyl-related overdose deaths increased substantially in western, southern, and midwestern states, CDC reported.

Preliminary CDC data show that drug overdose deaths in the United States hit a record high in the 12-month period ending in March 2021.

In the ongoing aftermath of the opioid crisis, it’s common for physicians to attempt to wean some patients off opioids in favor of alternative means of pain management. But while the goal is increased safety for the patient, opioid tapering does not come without risks. A recent study in JAMA found a significant association between opioid dose tapering and both overdose and mental health crises.