How many overdose deaths are there?

38329 drug overdose deaths

In 2010, according to a CDC reported, there were 38,329 drug overdose deaths nationwide.  Keep in mind that medicines, mostly prescription drugs, were involved in nearly 60% of overdose deaths that year.  Everyone perfectly understands that deaths from illicit narcotics represent a dangerous trend. Opioid drugs which include OxyContin and Vicodin were the biggest problem, contributing to 3 out of 4 medication overdose deaths.  The main problem is that many doctors and patients do not realize how addictive these drugs can be.  Can you imagine that they are often prescribed for pain that can be managed with less risky drugs?