FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Contact: Hannah Muldavin, Hannah.Muldavin@mail.house.gov

Trone Statement on Record-Breaking Overdose Numbers in the U.S.

WASHINGTON — As the United States continues to see COVID-19 cases spike across the country, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) released a report revealing staggering new numbers related to the opioid and addiction crisis. From June 2019-May 2020, there were more than 81,000 drug overdose deaths in the United States, the highest number ever in a 12-month period.

Following the release of this data, Congressman David Trone, founder of the Freshmen Working Group on Addiction and member of the National Commission on Combating Synthetic Opioid Trafficking, released the following statement:

“This new CDC data makes clear the dire situation so many Americans find themselves in during this global pandemic. 81,000 people died of drug overdose from June 2019 to May 2020 – the highest number of overdose deaths ever. Every one of these lives matter. Synthetic opioids like fentanyl were the main cause of the spike, showing a 38% increase over the previous 12 months. These drugs are unpredictable, potent, and deadly, and they’ve never been more available across the United States. We need to recognize that COVID-19 is only accelerating the death toll from the addiction crisis. Those with substance use disorder need increased assistance, and they need it now.”

Congressman David Trone was elected to the House of Representatives in November 2018 to serve the 6th District of Maryland, which includes all or part of Montgomery, Frederick, Washington, Allegany, and Garrett Counties. Trone serves on the Education and Labor, Foreign Affairs, and Joint Economic Committees, where he is fighting to make progress on issues that matter to Marylanders, including the opioid epidemic, criminal justice reform, and funding for medical research.

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