Drug overdose deaths reach all-time high

Dec 19, 2015- More than 47,000 Americans died from drug overdoses in 2014 – the most ever recorded in one year, USA officials say.

In addition to New Hampshire, thirteen other states saw statistically significant increases in drug overdose deaths from 2013 to 2014 to include ME (27.3 percent), New Mexico (20.8), Alabama (19.7) and Maryland (19.2). Because fentanyl is combined with heroin or straight-up sold as fentanyl, the CDC theorizes that “illicit fentanyl-associated deaths might represent an emerging and troubling feature of the rise in illicit opioid overdoses that has been driven by heroin”.

A government report shows drug overdose deaths surged in 14 states a year ago.

Synder reported that the impact of prescription drug and opioid abuse has crossed all demographic, geographic and political lines and has been felt in every community across MI. According to the report, 61% of these deaths involve some type of opioid, including heroin.

The CDC released the overall tally last week. The age-adjusted rate of deaths caused by opioids, including heroin and opioid pain relievers, rose 14% in 2014, setting a new record. These departures were also on the upswing for the two genders, non-Hispanic whites and blacks, and adults aged 25 to 65.

The CDC then outlined some recommendations in how to reduce and eventually curb overdose death. People with the highest risk of using heroin are those who became dependent or who abused prescription opioids during the past year.

In sheer numbers, California – the most populous state – had the most overdose deaths previous year, with more than 4,500. Opioid pain reliever prescribing has quadrupled since 1999.

These deaths declined in 2012 and held steady in 2013, which in the moment was considered progress amid a crackdown to prevent opioid misuse.

The health agency has also provided guidelines for general practitioners that urge them to be more cautious about the medications they prescribe for chronic pain. It suggested public health agencies, medical examiners and coroners, and law-enforcement agencies work collaboratively to improve the detection of these outbreaks through improved investigation and testing.

This explains the surging sense of euphoria that many people feel when they inject the drug straight into the bloodstream.

Protect people with opioid use disorder by expanding access and use of naloxone-a critical drug that can reverse the symptoms of an opioid overdose and save lives.