DRUG ADDICTION AND OPIOIDS ARE RAVAGING AMERICA: Hundreds of thousands of Americans have lost their lives to drug abuse, and it will only get worse unless action is taken.
- The U.S. saw synthetic opioid deaths jump from 6,000 in 2015 to more than 63,000 in 2021, with fentanyl being the biggest contributing factor
• From 2011 to 2018, the primary disorder of opioid overdose deaths shift from prescription painkillers to heroin, and then to fentanyl and other synthetic opioids.
• Drug overdoses are now the leading cause of injury death in the U.S., outnumbering both traffic crashes and gun-related deaths.
• According to the Center for Disease Control and Prevention's (CDC) National Center for Health Statistics, the national age-adjusted rate of opioid overdose deaths in 2015 was 10.4 deaths per 100,000 Americans.
• The increasing rate of deaths relating to prescription drug abuse has been classified as an epidemic by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.
What is Meth (Methamphetamine)?
Meth is a synthetic stimulant that affects the central nervous system. Common names includes: Ice, Speed, Crystal and crank. Composition: Pseudoephedrine, a decongestant, and a number of toxic ingredients like lye and drain cleaner. Meth comes in powders, crystals and pills and is snorted, smoked, injected or swallowed. Meth is extremely addictive. Meth causes significant brain damage. Meth users experience delusions and hallucinations, obsessive behavior, aggression, paranoia and anxiety/depression.