Close X
Friday, November 15, 2024
ADVT 
National

Drug Overdose Deaths Increased Significantly In Past 5 Years

Darpan News Desk The Canadian Press, 17 Dec, 2016 02:08 PM
  • Drug Overdose Deaths Increased Significantly In Past 5 Years
CONCORD, N.H. — Drug overdose deaths have increased by 33 per cent in the past five years across the country, with some states seeing jumps of nearly 200 per cent.
 
According to data from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, 30 states saw increases in overdose deaths resulting from the abuse of heroin and prescription painkillers, a class of drugs known as opioids. New Hampshire saw a 191 per cent increase while North Dakota, Massachusetts, Connecticut and Maine had death rates jump by over 100 per cent.
 
"Too many Americans are feeling the devastation of the opioid crisis either from misuse of prescription opioids or use of illicit opioids," said Dr. Tom Frieden, head of the CDC. "Urgent action is needed to help health care providers treat pain safely and treat opioid use disorder effectively, support law enforcement strategies to reduce the availability of illicit opiates, and support states to develop and implement programs that can save lives."
 
Last year, more than 52,000 people died from drug overdoses, with almost two-thirds involving prescription or illegal opioids. Deaths from synthetic opioids, including illicit fentanyl, rose 73 per cent, to 9,580. And prescription painkillers took the highest toll but posted the smallest increase. Abuse of drugs like Oxycontin and Vicodin killed 17,536, an increase of 4 per cent.
 
In comparison, the number of people who died in car crashes was 37,757, an increase of 12 per cent. Gun deaths, including homicides and suicides, totalled 36,252, up 7 per cent.
 
 
The CDC report also included death certificate data for opioid overdoses in 28 states, finding that 16 saw a jump in death rates from synthetic opioids including illicit fentanyl. New York (135.7 per cent), Connecticut (125.9 per cent) and Illinois (120 per cent) were the hardest hit. As for heroin deaths, 11 states had increases, with South Carolina (57.1 per cent), North Carolina (46.4 per cent) and Tennessee (43.5 per cent) seeing the biggest spike.
 
"It's certainly disheartening for those of us in public health," said Katherine Keyes, a Columbia University epidemiologist who researches drug abuse issues.
 
"Part of what has been concerning for many epidemiologists and other public health professionals is the rise in these high-dosage opioids like fentanyl that really are contributing in very pervasive ways to the overdose epidemic," she said. "What you saw in the CDC report is that one of the major categories where you saw an increase in overdoses was when fentanyl is involved. Certainly, that is not a surprise to those of us who have been working in opioid addiction and overdose. But it is a stark reminder that that is the challenge we are facing — these new synthetic opioids."
 
The Northeast has been hit especially hard by the drug crisis, with New Hampshire among those suffering the most. Just this year, overdose deaths were expected to top 500. The state's congressional delegation was among those supporting a bill that would provide $1 billion in funding to states to fight heroin and opioid abuse.
 
 
Heroin, fentanyl and prescription painkillers are the primary drivers of addiction in recent years.
 
"Obviously the fact that 500 people are going to succumb to addiction this year is just a terrible tragedy," said Republican Jeb Bradley, the state Senate majority leader. "It reminds us all that we have to make sure that we ... monitor carefully what's working and what isn't and be prepared as we come back in January to address this issue."

MORE National ARTICLES

Squirrel Squatter Trashes Victoria-Area Home While Couple On Vacation

 A bowl of nuts helped officers in Oak Bay, B.C., tail a suspected burglar.

Squirrel Squatter Trashes Victoria-Area Home While Couple On Vacation

WHO Calls for Sugar Tax to Fight Obesity and Diabetes

WHO is Recommending up to 20% Tax on Soda, Fruit drinks,Sports Drink,Iced Tea,Sweetened Lemonade,Vitamin Water to Decrease Sugar Consumption  

WHO Calls for Sugar Tax to Fight Obesity and Diabetes

Changes Coming to Canada Food Guide

According to the latest information from Statistics Canada 69 per cent of households with families were dual-earners. This has had clear consequences when it comes to eating

Changes Coming to Canada Food Guide

4 Fired School Board Trustees Demand B.C. Finance Minister Apologize For 'Defamation'

4 Fired School Board Trustees Demand B.C. Finance Minister Apologize For 'Defamation'
The four trustees alleging defamation are with the reigning Vision Vancouver party, while another four are members of the Non-Partisan Association, and one is from the Green party.

4 Fired School Board Trustees Demand B.C. Finance Minister Apologize For 'Defamation'

Mother Heartbroken After No Criminal Charges Recommended In Vancouver Party-Bus Death

Mother Heartbroken After No Criminal Charges Recommended In Vancouver Party-Bus Death
VANCOUVER — The grieving mother of a 23-year-old woman who died after falling out of a party bus says she's heartbroken that criminal charges won't be laid in the case.

Mother Heartbroken After No Criminal Charges Recommended In Vancouver Party-Bus Death

Nurse Accused Of Killing Eight Seniors Went To Rehab Twice: Friend

WOODSTOCK, Ont. — Just a few weeks ago, Elizabeth Wettlaufer gave away her beloved dog, Nashville, a spry Jack Russell terrier. Her friends thought the move odd, but they now wonder if the 49-year-old nurse knew what was coming.

Nurse Accused Of Killing Eight Seniors Went To Rehab Twice: Friend