Drug overdose deaths have doubled in 2012 as compared to 1999 According to a report released by the disease control and prevention center on December 2, 2014; the number of deaths due to drug overdoses almost doubled in 2012 (41,000 total) as compared to 1999 (17,000 total). However, the deaths due to overdose on opiates (i.e. pain relievers including Hydrocodones and Oxycodones) actually reduced by 5 percents in 2011 and 2012. There a number of reasons that have caused this increase in drug overdose deaths. These reasons include the likes of, increased availability of prescription drugs, tendency of doctors to overprescribe drugs, prescription of wrong antibiotics and increased usage of recreational drugs, etc. According to average statistics, the death rate in 1999 was 6.1 out of every 100,000, while in 2012 was 13.1 out of 100,000. Meanwhile, the death rates according to states were as follows. West Virginia faced the highest death toll, that was 32 deaths out of 100,000, Kentucky had 25 deaths, New Mexico had 24.7, Utah 23.1 and finally Nevada faced a death toll of 21 out of 100,000 people per annum. From among these, the death toll related to heroin overdose had nearly tripled as it rose to 1.9 per 100,000 in 2012 as compared to 1999. This numbered to almost 6000 deaths per year. There is also a perception in the current study that said that prescription drugs were comparatively less dangerous. But this notion in itself can put people at a higher risk of overdoses. In addition, the researchers claimed that there is no direct method to reverse the drug overdose trend; however, more education for the patients and the prescribers can help much in this regard. In addition, there is no such thing as prescription monitoring for patients in the States, which makes it easier for the patients to seek out help from a number of doctors and get multiple prescriptions especially when they want to use those drugs for recreational purposes. It is hence highly advised that drug prescriptions be monitored in the countries with overdose deaths. These especially include the Americas. In addition, research and development is required in other states including developing and underdeveloped nations to avoid drug overdoses. Also, the DEA and FDA should keep better lookouts for people who OD on recreational drugs. The excessive use of Ecstasy in this decade has been clearly notable due to the deaths on concerts, clubs, raves and dance parties throughout the world.
Related Article: http://www.researchomatic.com/New-Research/Drug-Abuse-Among-Teens-316272.html