New CDC data reveals an average of 185 Americans die each day from drug overdose
February 11, 2020 - North Bethesda, MD - Today Addiction Policy Forum, a national nonprofit, launched the 185aDay campaign to raise awareness of the 185 lives that are lost (on average) to a drug overdose every day in the United States. The 185aDay campaign gives families and friends a national platform to share their stories of loved ones lost to drug overdose while also increasing public awareness of the opioid epidemic.
“One hundred and eighty five families lose a loved one every single day to a drug overdose; that is far too many lives lost to a preventable and treatable disease,” says Jessica Hulsey Nickel, founder of Addiction Policy Forum. “The 185aDay campaign honors those we have lost, while bringing awareness to addiction. We honor the lives of children, brothers, mothers and fathers, and we will continue to fight and raise awareness until the number of drug overdose deaths reaches zero.”
In January, the CDC released its latest report on the impact of drug overdoses on American lives. The report showed that 67,367 people died of overdose deaths in 2018, a 4% decrease from 2017. Opioids were involved in 69.5 percent of all drug overdose deaths.
“There are incredible programs in place across the country to help prevent, intervene and treat addiction, but continued progress requires a sustained effort,” says Essex County Massachusetts District Attorney Jonathan Blodgett, advisory board chair for Addiction Policy Forum. “The 185aDay campaign will help bolster our collective efforts by reminding us of the real people and lives behind the number.”
For those interested in sharing their loved one’s story, reading stories submitted by families across the country, or finding local resources to address addiction, please visit www.185aDay.org.
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About Addiction Policy Forum
Addiction Policy Forum is a national nonprofit organization dedicated to eliminating addiction as a major health problem. Our national headquarters are located in Washington, DC with resources and services in every state.
More information on our mission and projects is available at http://addictionpolicy.org.
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE Contact Braeden Kelly (202) 969-8879 ext 727 bkelly@addictionpolicy.org
Addiction Policy Forum is a nationwide nonprofit organization dedicated to eliminating addiction as a major health problem. Our national headquarters is located in Washington, DC with resources and services in every state.