In 2014, DEA adopted restrictions on drugs prescription, including opioids, in an effort to curb drugs abuse in the United States.
"We are unlikely to see the impact our new regulations will have on overdoses right away, as there is a significant lag time before that data is available," Barbara Carreno told the news agency.
The spokeswoman also said that the latest available official data on prescription drug overdose, updated on February, 9 by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), dates back to 2013.
Carreno also noted that DEA is continuing its work on combating illegal prescribing, "for the sake of patient safety and for guaranteeing the availability of controlled substance medications for those with a legitimate need for them."
According to CDC data, 120 people die as a result of drug overdose every day in the United States. Moreover, from 1999 through 2013, the drug overdose death rate has increased more than twice.
