The U.S. is still in a battle against the coronavirus pandemic, but a different medical crisis is capturing headlines this week. More than 100-thousand Americans died of drug overdoses between May of 2020 and April 2021… marking the first time that drug-related deaths surpassed six figures in a 12-month period.

Opioids have garnered a lot of attention over the last couple of years. The question is how can the U.S. overcome this deadly situation?

CGTN’s Owen Fairclough takes a look.

Joining the discussion:

• Keith Humphreys is a Professor of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences and the Section Director for Mental Health Policy at Stanford University.
• David Gastfriend is the chief medical officer of DynamiCare Health.
• Mike Vigil is the former chief of international operations for the U.S. Drug.
• Georges C. Benjamin is the executive director of the American Public Health Association.

"It could be a blue tablet, it could be a yellow tablet– We're finding fentanyl mixed into counterfeit tablets of all shapes and sizes and colors," said DEA Assist. Special Agent in Charge Cam Strahm. #onepillcankill @DEAHQ @KREM2 @PortlandPolice
>>https://t.co/0iYC3qxsex

— DEASeattle (@DEASEATTLEDiv) November 6, 2021

.@CDCgov's 4 new campaigns address ways to prevent and reduce drug overdose deaths. 

💡 Learn more about:
1️⃣ the dangers of fentanyl
2️⃣ the risks of mixing drugs
3️⃣how naloxone can save lives
4️⃣ reducing stigma toward drug use & recovery
https://https://t.co/8poyR2GPzD pic.twitter.com/dnKcE7tu1Y

— SAMHSA (@samhsagov) November 16, 2021

Medications for #opioid overdose, withdrawal, and addiction are safe, effective, and can save lives. NIDA's infographic shows medications prescribed to reduce opioid use and cravings. View, use, and share: https://t.co/BacCMoMsI7 #NIDAscience

— NIDAnews (@NIDAnews) November 12, 2021