The Opioid Epidemic’s Impact on Race

A recent article on nj.com detailed that in New Jersey, Black residents accounted for 25 percent of the overdose deaths last year through October, a significant increase from 12 percent in 2015. Through March 13 of this year, the Black population accounts for 28 percent of suspected overdose-related deaths.

A few months ago, I touched on this topic in a blog explaining that African-American men experienced the largest increases in opioid overdose deaths among older adults in the United States. By 2019, the opioid overdose fatality rate among non-Hispanic Black or African-American males ages 55 and up was four times greater than the overall opioid fatality rate of others of the same age.

We must begin to understand why the there is this steady rise among this demographic and educate and raise awareness in efforts to make a change. 

In December, the Partnership for a Drug-Free New Jersey’s Knock Out Opioid Abuse Day Learning Series Webinar, “The Opioid Epidemic and the Impact on Race,” focused on the intersection of race and the opioid crisis. In case you missed it please click here.

PDFNJ will also be following up with on this topic with a Learning Series Webinar, “The Opioid Epidemic and the Impact of Race Part II,” at 11 a.m. Thursday, June 16. The webinar will carry on the discussions held during the December event. To register, please click here.

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