Overdose death increases during pandemic put Vermont at top

MONTPELIER, Vt. (AP) — The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention says Vermont has had the highest percentage increase of any state in the U.S. in drug overdose deaths during the coronavirus pandemic.

The Burlington Free Press reported Friday that CDC numbers show Vermont’s overdose deaths went up by nearly 70% in the 12 months ending in April 2021.

The national increase was about 27%. Fentanyl was involved in 88% of the overdose deaths in Vermont in 2020. Cocaine was recorded as the reason for 37% of deaths.