My opinion. Not worth much.
There are drugs (new?) out there right now which are very dangerous and are causing lots of accidental deaths amoung young and middle-aged people. We had one incident of a member of our family (in another state) was found dead. He was walking home, had taken a short-cut through a vacant lot when he collapsed. Drug overdose.
What seems new about this pattern, is that death usually follows a long, drawn out history of drug use — but this recent picture shows them dying earlier in their drug experimentation — almost like they aren’t aware or cannot control the outcome.
60% of the world's illegal drug market is in the U.S.A. (with 6% of the world's population);
Over 20 million Americans use Marijuana;
An estimated 6 million Americans use Cocaine;
An estimated half a million Americans use Heroin;
An estimated 13 million Americans are alcoholics;
Almost 1/3 of Americans between ages 20 and 40 have used an illicit drug once in the past year
Almost 1/2 of Americans Entering the work Force have used an illicit drug once in the past year.
Many of these drug users are prominent citizens in our communities.
They are business owners, doctors, civic leaders, parents and neighbors.
Consider the profile of a regular cocaine user:
Well educated [average of 14 years of education] Employed [77%] and well-paid [37% earn over 25K] 56% engage in illegal activity other than drug possession to support the habit.
[Source: National Drug Task Force Journal]