Number of drug overdose deaths continues to rise
The number of drug overdose deaths in Minnesota continued rising in 2016, with a 9.2 percent increase over the previous year.
The number of drug overdose deaths is nearly six times higher than in 2000, with 637 overdose deaths, most of which occurred in the seven-county metro area. Greater Minnesota’s death rate held steady last year, with a sharp increase in methamphetamine and psychostimulant overdose deaths counterbalanced by a decrease in opioid involved deaths, according to the Minnesota Department of Health.
Statewide, opioids are accountable for the greatest number of drug overdose deaths, with 375 cases, 186 of which involved prescribed opioids like oxycodone and hydrocodone. There were 96 synthetic opioid-involved deaths, most of which involved fentanyl. Deaths connected to synthetic opioid overdoses increased nearly 80 percent from 2015 numbers.
“The alarm is growing louder year after year as we continue to see the costly impact of ‘diseases of despair’ such as chronic pain, depression, chemical dependency and suicide,” said Minnesota Commissioner of Health Dr. Ed Ehlinger.
In an attempt to pool statewide efforts to curb opioid addition, MDH has set up an online “Opioid Dashboard” to provide access to data abd results for health care providers, pharmacies, local public health organizations, social service providers, and advocacy organizations as well as the general public.
“Launching a new data dashboard will consolidate our tracking efforts into one place and help us better work together to help Minnesotans learn about prevention and treatment options, and to avoid the trap of drug abuse,” Ehlinger said.
Filed under: General Problems
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