Music icon Prince died of an opioid overdose in April, law-enforcement officials told the Associated Press on Thursday.
Prince died suddenly in late April. Law enforcement sources at the time had said that the musician, who had been struggling with chronic hip problems, had opioids on him at the time.
The musician’s death from opioid abuse comes as the nation struggles with the opioid epidemic. Painkiller and heroin abuse is killing 72 people a day, federal data show.
Prescription Opioid Overdose Deaths in the US HealthGrove
Lawmakers have suspected that Prince died of opioid abuse and have referred to the musician’s passing during the debate on a series of bills before the House last month.
The House and Senate both passed comprehensive legislation to combat opioid abuse. Currently the two chambers need to reconcile differences in the bills, and the House has appointed members for a conference with the Senate.
Drug Overdose Deaths HealthGrove
President Obama has supported the legislation but wants more funding for treatment recovery. Democrats in the House and Senate have tried to attach about $600 million in new funding to both packages but were rebuffed by Republicans.
