Poisoning Kills More People Than Car Wrecks

In 30 states, including West Virginia, drug poisonings are the leading cause of death exceeding even the number of deaths cause by car wrecks. Opioid analgesics were responsible for 14,800 of the 36,500 deaths in 2008 caused by drug poisoning according an analysis published by the National Center for Health Statistics. Hydrocodone (Vicodin) and oxycodone (Percocet and other brand names) outnumbered heroin or cocaine in causing death. The rate of death was highest among 45 to 54 year olds and lowest among those under 24 with the exception of those over age 65. Whites had the highest rate of drug related deaths.  West Virginia and several other states including Alaska, New Mexico, Nevada and Utah had the higest rates of drug related poisoning deaths in the country.  In 2009-10 over five million people reported using pain relievers without a prescription or only for the feeling caused by the medication.