News / Education
Drug Overdose Deaths Eclipse Automobile Deaths
Leading Cause of Accidental Death in 35-54 Year-Olds
“What is not appreciated is the dangerousness of prescription drug abuse,” comments Mary Rieser, Executive Director of Narconon Drug Rehab Georgia. “Every year the CDC compiles a list of accidental deaths, comparing the reasons year after year.
“In 2006, the latest information available, 45,000 Americans died from car crashes, while 39,000 died from drug-related causes. The campaign to ‘buckle up’ of course has been very successful: ask anyone if it is safer to drive with a seat belt and the answer is ‘yes’. Yet if you were to survey people on the risks of prescription drug abuse, the answers would be mixed. Many people are not aware that prescription drug abuse can be addictive and deadly.”
During the Healthy People 2010 midcourse review, reduction of poisoning mortality was one of the injury objectives identified as moving away from its target. One of the challenges discussed during the review is a lack of recognition of the extent of the problem.
“If you know anyone who is abusing prescription drugs, get them help,” comments Ms. Rieser. “You wouldn’t let someone drive without a seatbelt. Many people have died from abusing prescription drugs. They will deny a problem, say they are prescribed, that they are medicine. And used properly, medicines are beneficial. But not when abused. Teach your children about prescription drug abuse.”
