Arkansas Sees Dramatic Rise in Drug Overdose Deaths
Arkansas has seen a dramatic increase in drug overdose deaths, according to a new report from the Centers for Disease Control.
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Drug Overdose Rose Dramatically In Arkansas: CDC Report
A new report from the Centers for Disease Control shows drug overdose deaths have risen dramatically in Arkansas.
The CDC report analyzed drug overdose deaths across the country from May of 2020 through April of 2021.
Overall, drug overdose fatalities rose approximately 29% nationwide, but they increased a drastic 33% in Arkansas during that time.
Among other things, the CDC’s report found overdose deaths increased due to fentanyl, methamphetamine, cocaine, and natural and semi-synthetic opioids such as prescription pain medication.
Writing at Breakpoint.org, John Stonestreet and Maria Baer note,
Drug overdose was the eighth leading cause of death in the United States last year, according to the Centers for Disease Control. From May 2020 to April 2021, an estimated 100,300 Americans died from an overdose. That’s a roughly 30 percent increase over the year before, and officials believe this year could be even worse.
Experts point to a few things to explain the deadly spike, including the flooding of the drug market by the extremely potent and dangerous synthetic opioid Fentanyl.
But the pandemic lockdowns share the blame. Not only was the social isolation harmful to the mental health of many, but the lockdowns and the often illogical restrictions on medical care hindered addiction treatment.
The drug epidemic isn’t fun to debate on Twitter. It’s not just another political football. It is an emergency. The Church has to step in here, and quickly — not just to help our neighbors who might be struggling, but to advocate on their behalf to our leaders. This is the pandemic that’s not waning. We have to pay attention.
Copyright 2021 by the Colson Center for Christian Worldview. Reprinted from BreakPoint.org with permission.
We couldn’t agree more.
Legislation Would Help Pregnant Women Access Substance Abuse Treatment
Last week Rep. Jimmy Gazaway (R – Paragould) filed H.B. 1324.
This good bill helps pregnant women access substance abuse programs in Arkansas.
Substance abuse can cause serious harm to unborn children.
Pregnant women with substance abuse problems may be tempted to seek an abortion rather than risk prosecution for drug use.
H.B. 1324 gives pregnant women priority access when seeking help with substance abuse, and it prevents substance abuse and recovery programs funded by Medicaid from turning a woman away solely because she is pregnant.
This bill helps protect women’s health. It would protect unborn children, and it would address one of the potential contributors to the demand for abortion in Arkansas.