More Americans died of drug overdoses during the pandemic than ever before

By Lynnea Domienik
Tablets believed to be laced with fentanyl are displayed at a Drug Enforcement Administration lab in New York in 2019. The Biden administration is hoping to crack down on abuse of synthetic opioids in part by putting them in the most restricted category or “schedule” under the law.
Tablets believed to be laced with fentanyl are displayed at a Drug Enforcement Administration lab in New York in 2019. Recently released data shows that the deaths from drug overdose have doubled since 2015. AFP via Getty Images
Tablets believed to be laced with fentanyl are displayed at a Drug Enforcement Administration lab in New York in 2019. The Biden administration is hoping to crack down on abuse of synthetic opioids in part by putting them in the most restricted category or “schedule” under the law.
Tablets believed to be laced with fentanyl are displayed at a Drug Enforcement Administration lab in New York in 2019. Recently released data shows that the deaths from drug overdose have doubled since 2015. AFP via Getty Images

More Americans died of drug overdoses during the pandemic than ever before

By Lynnea Domienik
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More than 100,000 people died from drug overdoses between April 2020 and April 2021, according to federal data released Wednesday.

Reset checks in with a drug policy expert and county toxicologist about this grim milestone, and solutions they would like to see implemented.

GUESTS: Sheila Vakharia, deputy director of research and academic engagement at Drug Policy Alliance

Dr. Steven Aks, chief of toxicology for Cook County Health, emergency room physician at John H. Stroger Jr. Hospital of Cook County