Who would have though t the day would come that deaths from drug overdoses would be higher than those in automobile accidents? This has not happened in more than 100 years. Basically, it hasn’t happened since Henry Ford rolled out the Model-T.
Scary, Huh?
In 2009, the first time in modern history, the number of deaths in the United States due to drug overdoses have surpassed the number of fatalities caused by auto accidents. You can bet that surging prescription drug abuse is a primary reason!
According to data from the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), at least 37,485 people died from a drug overdose in 2009, compared to 36,284 who died in car and truck accidents that same year.
While some of the drug deaths were accidental overdoses, the numbers are being driven by skyrocketing rates of prescription drug abuse, particularly involving powerful painkillers like OxyContin, fentanyl and morphine.
Deaths from automobile accidents have seen a steady decline due to new laws and safety campaigns . But law enforcement, like everyone else, is at a loss to turn around the rising prescription drug addiction and abuse rates.
One Death Every 14 Minutes
It has been estimated that drug abuse causes a death in the U.S. every 14 minutes. However, this is the first time there have been more drug deaths than auto accident fatalities since tracking of drug overdoses began in 1979.
It is clear that two things are needed. First is more drug classes. You cannot have too much drug education. Second, are stronger laws. We need to slow down this trend of drug use and abuse in the US.
Source: http://www.aboutlawsuits.com/drug-overdose-deaths-exceed-auto-accident-deaths-21227/