1. Scope of the Problem
Of the 686 drug overdose deaths in 2012, there were 520 deaths which involved only Rx drugs, and 72 deaths were attributed to a combination of both Rx and illicit drugs.
In 2013, 461 of the 630 overdose deaths were attributed to Rx drugs only.
Statistics from the Georgia Bureau of Investigation Medical Examiner’s Office are below. Note: These statistics do NOT include autopsies performed by medical examiners in Fulton, Cobb, Gwinnett, DeKalb, Henry, Hall or Rockdale Counties.
|
Deaths from: |
2012 |
2013 |
2014 |
|---|---|---|---|
|
Rx Only |
520 |
461 |
459 |
|
Illicit Drugs only |
94 |
106 |
180 |
|
Combination |
72 |
63 |
67 |
|
Total Overdose Deaths |
686 |
630 |
708 |
For overdose drug deaths in 2014, the drugs found through toxicology tests in the highest numbers were as follows:
|
Drug |
Number |
|---|---|
|
Alprazolam (For anxiety, Xanax) |
148 |
|
Oxycodone (Narcotic Pain Reliever) |
165 |
|
Methadone (Narcotic Pain Reliever) |
116 |
|
Hydrocodone (Narcotic Pain Reliever) |
110 |
|
Cocaine (Stimulant, Illicit) |
81 |
|
Morphine (Narcotic Pain Reliever) |
91 |
|
Fentanyl (Narcotic Pain Reliever) |
98 |
|
Methamphetamine (Stimulant, Illicit) |
105 |
|
Diazepam (For anxiety, Valium) |
35 |
|
Diphenhydramine (Antihistamine, Benadryl) |
51 |
Next: Part 2: What's Driving the Growth?