Last updated : December 16, 2024
Illicit drug use is casting a shadow over our nation that grows darker with each passing year despite efforts to regain the upper hand. Drug addiction is causing the homeless population to rise in every major city in the United States. Moreover, smaller communities now deal with the issue as well whereas, in times past, it was relatively unheard of.
That began to change as the drug culture began to spread to rural communities that, of course, weren’t immune to the dangers of addiction. The problem still hasn’t grown to equate to what many cities, such as Philadelphia, are experiencing. However, if things don’t change for the better, who’s to say it won’t one day?
Sobering statistics
According to a report published by the Journal of American Medical Association (JAMA), the projected number of overdose deaths attributed to opioids alone will increase to nearly 90,000 annually by 2025. As if that’s not horrific enough, we must add to that the projected number of deaths by overdose that aren’t due to opioids.
Cocaine remains the second most widely abused drug with marijuana, which has had no deaths attributed to it at this point, ranking number one. Methamphetamine is found to be a contributing factor in 85% to 90% of stimulant drug deaths. Not all overdose deaths are homeless addicts though.
Some sobering statistics attributing to that fact include:
- Approximately 66% of adults between the ages of 50-64 rely on prescription drug use.
- The USA spends more on prescription drugs per capita than other countries.
- 16.1 million people admit to misusing their prescription psychotherapeutic medications
- 6.2 million US citizens say they misuse prescription painkillers
- Close to 4.8 million individuals report misusing their benzodiazepine prescriptions
- 5.1 million patients admittedly abuse prescription stimulants
- Adderall is often misused because it stimulates the body.
- Children, as young as 12, have suffered addiction due to prescription opioid drug use.
- Commonly prescribed drugs, such as Valium, Ambien, and Xanax, are prone to abuse.
If we kept going, our bullet list might wind up as long as Santa’s naughty and nice list. However, the onslaught of this type of information tends to become overwhelming—especially considering how high the numbers rise each year.
Unintentionally unintentional
We’ve all heard about the hidden danger fentanyl represents in that it’s being found mixed into virtually every illicit drug confiscated today. The synthetic opioid is far more potent than morphine, a few grains of the substance can be lethal. When people purchase drugs unaware that it’s used as a filler substance, they are at a highly increased risk of overdosing. We are seeing that happen every single day across our nation and around the world.
It’s true that while no one plans to become a drug addict, synthetic opioids and other illicit drugs are highly addictive. And, because our brains adjust to them as being something normal in such a short time, many become addicted before they have a clue that it’s happened. However, when they stop using the medication, the desire to keep using is intense. Many lose their battle to stop and hit the streets if their physician won’t refill the script, then, when street drugs get too costly, they opt for heroin because it’s cheaper.
Another unintentional addiction trap is the fact that it’s estimated that 20% of people use drugs and alcohol as a coping mechanism for their anxiety disorders. This can create a desperate cycle because one issue often exacerbates the other.
Do they look for help?
The shocking answer to that question is no, not many people dealing with drug use issues seek professional assistance. A mere 10% of the 23 million Americans who struggle with drug addiction get help of their own accord. That can be partly because they either don’t realize or deny they have a problem. Living in an area that doesn’t provide adequate resources can also be a contributing factor. That is especially so now that the problem is reaching even deeper into the rural sections of our nation.
Of those 23 million Americans, approximately 4% are between 12 and 17 years old. That works out to be 1 out of every 25 children in this age bracket or 1.8%.
What can we do?
First and foremost, if you know someone who struggles with drug use or who you know is addicted to drugs, encourage them to seek help. Don’t enable them by covering for them at work or school. Don’t give them money or pay their bills.
It can be tough to stand firm on these things when someone we care about is asking for help, but in the long run, it’s the best thing you can do. The sooner someone struggling with drug abuse and addiction hits rock bottom, the more likely it is that they will become one of the 10% who seek help. Moreover, as more and more of us stand firm, that statistic is going to begin to rise.
We are so looking forward to the day we are sharing that news. In the meantime, continuing to educate students and young adults about the dangers of drug use and how quickly addiction sets in is one of the most important tools we have in the war on drugs.
Living life drug-free is a choice that no one will ever regret making. Let’s keep shining the light in that direction, okay?
