How many of these deaths are directly attributable to the pharmaceutical? Just because the overdose deaths are rising in tandem means nothing. What is does mean is that there is a rising problem with both the pharmaceutical and illegal opioid usage. It is quite easy to distinguish what percentage the pharmaceutical opioids do play. I didn't read the entire article to see if they actually get into those numbers, however, something tells me that is most likely not the case. If the results show that the illegal opiods are far more likely to cause overdose death, then the pharmaceutical opioids would prove to be the safer route for addicts.
Now in the last year there has been a crack down on RX drugs coming into the area so Black Tar Heroin is on the rise. Just because you shut off the RX drugs does not mean all those folks hooked on Oxy are suddenly cured. We had our first mass murder in the area one County over and it was due to drugs mostly RX drugs but heroin and crystal meth were involved also.
What about the severe alcoholic that is drinking themselves to death? Not a word about that. My family has first hand experience with it, with our only brother. If his liver doesn’t give out then the Diabetes he’s developed will kill him.
Or the 33 PSTD Military committing suicide because they can’t be adequately treated. All those shrinks have is book knowledge not combat knowledge. And PSTD effects more than just the Military, it effects victims of rape and the Loved Ones of a innocent Murder Victim especially when the victim is a child. You think I’d admit to it if it put my 2nd A Rights at risk? I’ll just talk to other victims and GOD thank you they at least have experience in dealing with that type PSTD a book learned shrink lacks. And I don’t want your stinking sleeping pills or anti-depression drugs. I just need an compassionate ear to hear the hurt and not tell me to ‘get over it in 2 weeks’.
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Overdose deaths involving prescription opioids have quadrupled since 1999, and so have sales of these prescription drugs. From 1999 to 2014, more than 165,000 people have died in the U.S. from overdoses related to prescription opioids.
Opioid prescribing continues to fuel the epidemic. Today, at least half of all U.S. opioid overdose deaths involve a prescription opioid. In 2014, more than 14,000 people died from overdoses involving prescription opioids.
https://www.cdc.gov/drugoverdose/data/index.html
You re likely correct...
However, I read a stat the other day that if one uses opiate based drugs for more than 90 days... 70% become addicted... and since they can no longer get the pills... they turn to heroin....
Unfortunately I am knee deep in this crisis... my daughter is struggling to stay in recovery... we almost lost her 2 years ago... opiates are insidious in their addictive abilities and how they impact the brains chemistry.
Just yesterday a was made aware of a mother who became addicted after an accident she was in... she OD’d and died a few days ago...
Yes there is a place for opiate medication... but IMHO... it is prescribed to often... I was offered it for an umbilical hernia... I turned it down...
Prayers for all those that find themselves in addiction... there are treatment options at no cost... Teen Challenge and places such as them have incurred major success in helping persons looking for deliverance... they are long term... they have to be... it takes up to 6 months for the opiates to be removed form the body... and the brain chemistry to return to normal....
Anyone looking for help... don’t hesitate to private message me.