New Report Shows States’ Rankings for Drug Overdose Deaths, SC Ranks 16^th

According to a new report from the Trust for America’s Health, titled Prescription Drug Abuse: Strategies to Stop the Epidemic, South Carolina ranks 16^th nationally for drug overdosedeaths.

The report shows that the number of drug overdose deaths in the state has tripled since 1999, and the majority of those deaths come from prescription drug overdoses. Nationally, the rates have doubled in 29 states since 1999; 10 or more states, including South Carolina, have seen drug overdose deaths triple; and four states saw drug overdose death rates quadruple.

This new report particularly highlights the dangers of prescription drug abuse and overdose, which has grown to epidemic proportions nationally in the last ten years. Prescription drug overdose deaths now outnumber those from heroin and cocaine combined, according to the report, and drug overdose deaths now exceed deaths from motor vehicle accidents in 29 states and Washington, DC. Addiction to and abuse of prescription painkillers cost the nation $53.4 billion per year in lost productivity, medical costs, and criminal justice costs.

Currently, only one in 10 Americans receives treatment for their substance abuse disorder.

“Prescription drugs can be a miracle for many, but misuse can have dire consequences. The rapid rise of abuse requires nothing short of a full-scale response – starting with prevention and education all the way through to expanding and modernizing treatment,” said Jeffrey Levi, PhD, executive director of TFAH. “There are many promising signs that we can turn this around – but it requires urgent action.”

The drug overdose and abuse report examined 10 indicators of strategies being used in various states to help curb the drug overdose epidemic. Through consultations with law enforcement, public health, clinical, injury prevention, and community organization experts, these indications were examined for effectiveness and positive impact, and states were also ranked from 1 to 10 based on these strategies. While South Carolina ranked very high on the national scale of drug overdose deaths and abuse problems, the state received a 5 out of 10 for positive indicators, which shows that the state has some positive prevention programs in place to help those with drug abuse problems.

The report also showed that, while the last few decades have seen a dramatic rise in prescription drug overdose and abuse, prescription drug abuse problems have decreased in the last couple of years. In 2010, the number of Americans abusing prescription drugs was around 7 million, and that number decreased in 2011 to 6.1 million.

“Fifty Americans die a day from prescription drug overdoses, and more than 6 million suffer from prescription drug abuse disorders. This is a very real epidemic – and warrants a strong public health response,” said Andrea Gielen, ScD, Director of the Johns Hopkins Center for Injury Research and Policy. “We must use the best lessons we know from other public health and injury prevention success stories to work in partnership with clinical care, law enforcement, the business community, community-based organizations, and other partners to work together to curb this crisis.”

The Strom Law Firm Can Help with Prescription Overdose and Abuse Charges

If you have received criminal drug abuse charges, or are suspected of abusing prescription drugs, you are not automatically guilty, and you do not give up any of your rights. The attorneys at the Strom Law Firm can help defend you. We offer free, confidential consultations to discuss the facts of your case. Do not let criminal drug charges such as trafficking or possession ruin your reputation and career prospects. Contact us today. 803.252.4800.