According to the 2016 study carried out by the United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime, it is estimated that 1 in 20 adults, that is, around 250 million people between 15 and 64 years old, consumed at least one drug in 2014.
“Overdose deaths account for approximately one-third to one-half of all drug-related deaths, which in most cases are due to opioids. The period immediately following release is associated with a significantly increased risk of death from drug-related causes (mainly overdose), the mortality rate of which is much higher than the mortality from all causes in the general population.
“People who inject drugs are exposed to some of the worst health harms associated with unsafe drug use, as well as an overall deterioration in health outcomes, including a high risk of overdose, fatal or otherwise.” , and higher chances of premature death. One in seven people who inject drugs lives with HIV, and one in two with hepatitis C.
“Cannabis, whose users numbered 183 million in 2014, continues to be the most frequently consumed drug in the world, followed by amphetamines. The misuse of opiates and prescription opioids, of which there are an estimated 33 million users, is less common, but opioids remain notable substances for their potentially harmful effects on health.
“In general, men are three times more likely to use cannabis, cocaine or amphetamines than women, and women are more likely than men to use opioids and tranquilizers for non-medical purposes. Gender disparities in drug use can be attributed more to the opportunities to use drugs in a social environment than to the greater or lesser susceptibility or vulnerability of one of the genders to drug use.”
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According to a previous version of the report, one in ten users has serious drug addiction problems. Of these 27 million “problem users”, half of them (12.19 million) use injectable substances, and it is estimated that 1.65 million were affected by HIV in 2013. The drug that causes the most health problems and deaths is opium, “which can be attributed to the relationship between opiate consumption and injection drug use, HIV, AIDS and overdose deaths,” the document states. Among injecting drug users, such as heroin, mortality is 15 times higher than in other people of the same age and sex who do not use them, due to the possible transmission of infectious diseases and overdoses.
According to the US, these are the 10 drugs that have caused the most overdose deaths:
Heroin
This report reveals that heroin use has increased in the United States, among both men and women, in almost all age groups and at all income levels. Heroin is the number one drug responsible for fatal overdoses.
In a heroin overdose, the person’s system can shut down, leading to fatal respiratory depression and a slowed or stopped heart rate. Additionally, it is possible to overdose after using heroin for the first time, or the first time you relapse after quitting.
Cocaine
Cocaine is the second most popular drug involved in fatal overdoses. People who use cocaine often take it repeatedly within a short period of time, in increasingly higher doses to stay high. Cocaine overdose affects the heart, increasing heart rate and blood pressure in drastic and often dangerous ways.
Oxycodone
This opioid medication is used to treat pain. In turn, the drug is highly addictive, meaning that users often feel the need to increase the amount consumed to achieve the same feelings, and therefore overdoses can occur. Oxycodone addiction is often marked by lethargic behavior and decreased heart rate and strange breathing patterns.
Alprazolam
Also known as Xanax, it is used to treat depression and anxiety problems. Overdoses of these types of drugs often result in central nervous system depression, ranging from drowsiness to coma. An anxious person seeking relief might combine the drug with alcohol. A potentially deadly mixture.
Fentanyl
It is a synthetic opioid, similar to morphine, and used to treat pain. An overdose of this drug will result in low blood pressure, slow heart rate, and excessive drowsiness.
Morphine
Morphine is used to treat moderate and severe pain, but it is also a highly abused drug. A morphine overdose will cause shallow breathing, slow and labored breathing, or no breathing at all.
An addictive stimulant, abused for its euphoric effect. Methamphetamine overdose can cause increased heart rate, heart attack, high blood pressure, and high body temperature.
Methadone is an opioid narcotic most commonly used to help heroin addicts with withdrawal symptoms. However, this drug is also abused, and overdose can result in slow breathing and heart rate, severe drowsiness, and muscle weakness.
Hydrocodone
It is an opioid pain medication. An overdose can result in low blood pressure, weak pulse, and difficulty breathing.
Diazepam
Classified as a benzodiazepine and used to treat anxiety disorders, alcohol withdrawal symptoms, or muscle spasms. An overdose may cause dizziness, confusion, drowsiness, and unresponsiveness.
According to the UN report, Asia recorded 81,100 drug-related deaths, North America 43,300, Africa 37,800, Europe 16,900, Latin America and the Caribbean 6,000, and Oceania 2,000. The total number of deaths is practically the same as in previous years.
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