Opiate Related Overdoses in United States
Drug overdoses are a major cause for concern in the United States. The number of drug deaths increased dramatically between 2002 to 2015. Over 50,000 US residents died from overdoses in 2015. Drug deaths are on rise in all 50 states. Heroin, benzodiazepines, cocaine, non-methadone synthetics, opioid drugs, as well as prescription pain relievers, continue to kill too many Americans each year. Having analyzed the latest mortality statistics on drug deaths, we have delved deeper into this problem in the article below.
Most US Drug Overdose Deaths are Caused by Heroin
More and more US residents are dying due to heroin overdose.The number of heroin overdose deaths increased by almost 439% from 1999 to 2014. In 2014, statistics shows that heroin was responsible for about 61% of drug overdose deaths in the United States. The statistics provided by National Center for Health Statistics shows that the total number of drug overdose deaths from heroin increased by seven from 2002 to 2015. The government data shows that 12,989 US residents died from heroin overdose last year — deaths that could have been prevented. Moreover, the total number of overdose deaths is likely to grow in 2017.
Benzodiazepines are Responsible for 9,000 Drug Overdose Deaths in US
It’s worth noting that the number of deaths from Benzodiazepines is constantly growing in the US. According to data provided by National Center for Health Statistics, Benzodiazepines were a factor in 2000 US drug overdose deaths in 2002. This number has increased by five in 13 years. So, the number of deaths related to Benzodiazepines reached 9,000 in 2015.
Pain Relievers Cause a Lot of US Drug Overdose Deaths Each Year
It’s also important to note that using drugs as painkillers has a lot of negative effects. The reality is some of these drugs are very addictive — even deadly. Using painkillers can result in dependence and addiction over time.
A lot of overdose deaths from pain pills are reported every year. If we analyze the statistical data provided by National Center for Health Statistics, we see that the total number of US drug overdose deaths involving opioid pain relievers has increased by two from 2002 to 2015.
US Overdose Deaths from Cocaine
Cocaine is another drug that’s responsible for drug overdose deaths in the United States. The statistics provided by National Center for Health Statistics shows that the number of deaths related to cocaine overdose increased significantly from 2010 to 2015. According to the statistics, 4000 Americans died due to cocaine overdose in 2010. The number of cocaine related deaths increased to 7000 in 2015.
Other Drugs Causing Overdose Deaths in the United States
The government data shows that such drugs as Oxycontin and Vicodin resulted in 17,536 US overdose deaths in 2016. The number of drug overdose deaths increased by 4 percent. Fentanyl was responsible for 9,580 US drug deaths last year. The number of fentanyl related deaths increased by 73% from 2015 to 2016.
If we take a look at the statistics provided by National Center for Health Statistics, we see that the number of deaths from all drugs doubled from 2002 to 2015. The statistics shows that approximately 25,000 US residents died from drug overdose in 2002 and approximately 50,000 US residents died from drug overdose in 2015. These numbers are horrific but there is hope. We can devote resources to struggling addicts and help them recover.
Drug Overdoses in Different US States
CNN has recently conducted the research on drug overdose deaths and analyzed the situation carefully in every state. The research has shown that the numbers of drug overdose deaths are increasing in all US states.
It’s important to point out that drug overdoses have become a big problem in such states as West Virginia (where drug overdose deaths increased by 12% from 2014 to 2015), New Hampshire (where drug overdose deaths increased by 24% from 2014 to 2015), Kentucky (where drug overdose deaths increased by 13% from 2014 to 2015), Pennsylvania (where drug overdose deaths increased by 28% from 2014 to 2015), Ohio (where drug overdose deaths increased by 11% from 2014 to 2015), Massachusetts (where drug overdose deaths increased by 28% from 2014 to 2015), Nevada (where drug overdose deaths increased by 4% from 2014 to 2015), Maine (where drug overdose deaths increased by 19% from 2014 to 2015), North Carolina (where drug overdose deaths increased by 22% from 2014 to 2015), South Carolina (where drug overdose deaths increased by 14% from 2014 to 2015), Alabama (where drug overdose deaths increased by 0.2% from 2014 to 2015), Illinois (where drug overdose deaths increased by 6% from 2014 to 2015), Idaho (where drug overdose deaths increased by 4% from 2014 to 2015), Arkansas (where drug overdose deaths increased by 7% from 2014 to 2015), Virginia (where drug overdose deaths increased by 2% from 2014 to 2015), Minnesota (where drug overdose deaths increased by 10% from 2014 to 2015), Iowa (where drug overdose deaths increased by 12% from 2014 to 2015) and Nebraska (where drug overdose deaths increased by 18% from 2014 to 2015). In other states, the situation with drug overdose deaths has improved.
Drug Overdoses Kill Even More People than Cars and Guns in US
According to the government data provided last year, 37,757 US residents died in car accidents in US. Guns claimed the lives of 36,252 people. On the other hand, drug overdoses are responsible for killing 52,404 Americans in 2016. It’s important to note that the number of drug overdose deaths increased by 11 percent from 2015 to 2016. Different types of drugs cause many more deaths as opposed to cars and guns. These statistics prove that the government needs to sit up and pay attention to this epidemic.