Drug Overdose Death Toll Surpassed The Number Of Gun Homicides, CDC Data Report Disclosed Extremely Disturbing Statistics

Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) released the latest data on the number of drug overdose deaths in America in the year 2015. According to it, the total death toll due to overdose of drugs like synthetic opiates, natural opioids and heroin exceeds the total number of gun homicides in the entire year.

More than 50,000 Americans died of drug overdose in last year, which marks the highest ever number of deaths due to drug abuse in the history of America. Experts say the sudden surge in the number is due to the increasing abuse of heroin and prescription painkillers. The number of deaths due to heroin alone was 12,989, which is slightly higher than the total number of deaths in gun homicides, reported CBS News.

The CDC data also showed that 2015 saw a 73 percent increase in the number of deaths due to abuse of synthetic opioids including the most infamous fentanyl. The report also highlighted that abuse of prescription painkillers such as Oxycontin and Vicodin is on a rise and caused the death of 17,536 individuals.

Tom Frieden, Director, CDC, said in his statement that "The epidemic of deaths involving opioids continues to worsen," and stressed on the fact that "Prescription opioid misuse and use of heroin and illicitly manufactured fentanyl are intertwined and deeply troubling problems."

The Washington Post reported that CDC is also concerned that the overdose deaths may also be the cause due to abuse of a combination of opioid drugs or opioids taken along with other sedatives or alcohol.

Michael Botticelli, Director, National Drug Control Policy, also expressed his concern in his statement, which says "The prescription opioid and heroin epidemic continues to devastate communities and families across the country-in large part because too many people still do not get effective substance use disorder treatment," and he informed that "That is why the President has called since February for $1 billion in new funding to expand access to treatment."

The current situation seems extremely grim and some require immediate action. Hopefully, the Trump administration will take this into notice and take serious actions to prevent the increasing number of drug overdose death in the coming years.