New AHRQ data shows the opioid crisis disproportionately affected Blacks from 2013 to 2017. Although opioid-related overdose death rates are higher for Whites and rates vary by gender within racial groups, Blacks are experiencing fast-rising rates of drug overdose deaths involving synthetic opioids other than methadone. Members of Black communities have expressed concern about the availability of resources to address this problem and stigma related to opioid use.
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