Medications kill more people in the state of Georgia than illegal drugs, and the death toll keeps rising.
Six hundred and seventy autopsies were done in one year in Georgia, and 508 of those deaths were caused by prescription overdoses.
Just last year in Georgia, illegal drug overdoses killed 86 people. A growing trend is being highlighted here. These deaths were not recorded as suicides but shows that more people are dying each year from accidental medicine overdose.
In 2008 the number was 496 and in 2009 it was 508. Twelve more lives lost.
Those drug overdose deaths account for almost one of every four autopsy examinations that are conducted.
The medications most frequently traced to the accidental overdoses were Xanax/Alprazolam for anxiety, Methadone for pain relief, as well as hydrocodone and Oxycodone (also for pain relief).
It is noted that the difference between taking one or two pills to treat the pain and taking a couple of other extra pills when your pain is too much is the difference between life and death.
What is more, deliberate prescription drug abuse is on the rise nationwide, causing
Georgia rehabs much difficulty.
The increasing number of deaths by accidental overdose is part of a huge nationwide problem of medical errors and that is supported by research. Doctors cannot stop a patient from taking too many pills. They would have to dispense the pills under supervision. That would be very expensive for the patient.
Doctors can double check interactions and closely match medicines to the state of each patient. This solution would require office visits to be longer. The benefit is a better quality of life for patients, so ask your doctor for his undivided attention.
