Drug-overdose deaths surge


December 19, 2015 at 12:00a.m.

Drug-overdose deaths surge

NEW YORK

Drug-overdose deaths surged in 14 states last year, pushing the nation to a record count, according to a government report released Friday.

Rates went up in Alabama, Georgia, Illinois, Indiana, Maine, Maryland, Massachusetts, Michigan, New Hampshire, New Mexico, North Dakota, Ohio, Pennsylvania and Virginia.

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention released the overall tally last week. On Friday, it provided more details, including state numbers.

For the nation, overdose deaths last year surpassed 47,000 – up 7 percent from the previous year. That’s the most reported in the nation since at least 1970, according to CDC records.

The count includes deaths involving powerful painkillers, sedatives, heroin, cocaine and other legal and illicit drugs.

UN approves peace process for Syria

UNITED NATIONS

U.N. Security Council members unanimously approved a U.N. resolution Friday endorsing a peace process for Syria including a cease-fire and talks between the Damascus government and the opposition, but the text makes no mention of the most contentious issue – the future role of Syrian President Bashar Assad.

The resolution makes clear that the blueprint it endorses will not end the conflict, deep into its fifth year with well over 300,000 killed, because “terrorist groups,” including the Islamic State group and the al-Qaida-linked al-Nusra Front, are not part of the cease-fire.

FDA: Ban minors from tanning beds

WASHINGTON

Anyone under age 18 would be barred from using indoor tanning equipment, under a federal proposal to help reduce skin cancer linked to the devices.

The Food and Drug Administration also wants to require tanning-bed users to sign consent forms acknowledging the risks of the radiation-emitting devices. Tanning salons and other businesses would have to collect the forms from customers before their first tanning session and every six months thereafter.

SpaceX sets launch

CAPE CANAVERAL, Fla.

SpaceX is aiming for a Sunday launch, its first since a summer accident grounded its Falcon line of rockets.

The company conducted a test-firing of its rocket at Cape Canaveral, Fla., on Friday.

Associated Press