In 1970, it was shocking when Janis Joplin accidentally overdosed on heroin and Jimi Hendrix died of causes related to barbiturate intoxication. Today, what’s shocking is that overdose is now the leading cause of death for Americans under 50, see New York Times, Jan. 21, 2018, “1 Son, 4 Overdoses, 6 Hours.”
Drug overdoses killed about 72,000 Americans last year, a record number that reflects a rise of around 10 percent, according to new preliminary estimates from the Centers for Disease Control, see New York Times, Aug. 15, 2018, “Bleak New Estimates in Drug Epidemic: Record 72,000 Overdose Deaths in 2017.” Not only are more Americans using opioids, but these drugs are becoming more deadly. The new data shows that many people who overdose are simultaneously using multiple drugs like heroin, fentanyl, cocaine, methamphetamines and anti-anxiety medication. Most people also do not understand the dangers that also exist in combining these types of drugs with ordinary over-the-counter medications, see New York Times, Aug. 24, 2018, “States Show the Way on Opioid Epidemic.”
