Overdose Crisis In Shadows Of Elections As Black, Indigenous Americans Deaths Rise

Despite claiming over 100,000 lives annually, the U.S. overdose crisis received minimal attention during the recent presidential campaign, which concluded with Donald Trump’s victory. This oversight comes as overdose deaths continue to rise among Black and Indigenous Americans, revealing a growing racial disparity in the epidemic.

Rising Racial Disparities In Overdose Deaths

According to a Stateline analysis of federal data covered by Tim Henderson, overdose deaths among white Americans have declined, but deaths among people of color have increased. In 2023, Black and Native Americans experienced overdose death rates of 49.5 and 39.8 per 100,000 people, respectively, surpassing white rates. Health experts attribute this to a lack of targeted resources and funding in nonwhite communities.

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“It is our contention that Black harm reduction isn't about drug use, it's about the harms of not being a white person in this country,” said Tracie Gardner, co-director of the National Black Harm Reduction Network. Communities of color often struggle ...

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