Some good news, lots of bad in new Drug Threat report

There’s good news about the opioid crisis in the most current data available -- overdose deaths were down by over 13% in 2018.

Drug overdose deaths declined over 4% overall, reported Uttam Dhillon, acting administrator of the Drug Enforcement Administration.

But if you’re searching through the 2019 National Drug Threat Assessment for more good news, you’re going to be disappointed.

To put things in perspective, in 2017 and every year since 2011, drug poisoning deaths have outnumbered deaths by firearms, motor vehicle crashes, suicide and homicide. About 192 people died every day from drug poisoning, eight people every hour.

Despite lower overdose rates, opioids -- which includes controlled prescription drugs, synthetic opioids and heroin -- continue to be a growing epidemic, affecting more and more people in the united states.

As anyone who follows court reports can attest, the threat from stimulants such as methamphetamine and cocaine is also growing, with traffickers continuing to sell increasing amounts outside of each drug’s traditional markets, according to the report.

Public health and law enforcement authorities who hope to contain the threat are shooting at a moving target, as new psychoactive substances are introduced and marijuana is in a flux -- is it a legitimate drug or recreational substance? How about at my neighbor’s house across the state line? Are those regular gummy bears or something else? Can I take a few home?

“This year’s report illustrates a shifting drug landscape in the United States,” Dhillon said. “Many challenges remain ... including the spread of fentanyl and methamphetamine across the country. DEA and its partners will continue to work diligently to combat the drug trafficking organizations that bring these deadly substances into our country and endanger the American people.”

This year, the National Drug Threat Assessment includes an expanded section on gangs -- street gangs, prison gangs and outlaw motorcycle gangs -- by DEA field division location.

The assessment factors in data from many sources, including drug seizures, drug purity, laboratory analyses, information on the involvement of organized criminal groups, and survey data provided to DEA by state and local law enforcement agencies across the country.

You can read the entire document here: https://go.usa.gov/xdjnt.