Substance abuse and overdose-induced deaths are on the rise in the state of Ohio. Every year, about 5000 people lose their lives due to opioid overdoses here. The crisis costs the state $4-$5 billion each year to control the peril.
According to a report by the CDC, 700,000 people in Ohio, ages 12 and above, abuse substances. While opioid painkillers are the leading cause of death, other drugs are also sinking their claws in the state. In 2017, The Buckeye State had the second-highest number of opioid-caused deaths in the country.
Here are the top five most abused substances in Ohio.
1. Opioid Painkillers
Opioids are a leading killer of Americans under 50 years of age. The number of deaths caused by prescription opioids is more than the casualties of gun incidents or car crashes.
Unfortunately, Ohio is the worst hit by the opioid epidemic. The high number of opioid painkillers prescribed by physicians in the state is its root cause. Providers had prescribed 63.5 opioid prescriptions per 100 people in 2017.
The numbers have reduced since the government identified the issue. But, many people are already addicted to drugs like Fentanyl, Oxycodone, and Hydrocodone. Fentanyl is a synthetic opioid that’s nearly 50%-80% more potent than morphine.
Look at these facts to estimate the severity of substance abuse in Ohio:
- Fentanyl was present in 89% of the 176 cases of drug-induced deaths in Montgomery County from June 2016 to January 2017.
- There were 4293 deaths due to opioid overdose in Ohio in 2017.
- Prescription drugs led to 947 deaths in the same period of 2017.
- There were 120 overdose deaths in the first three months of 2019 in Franklin County.
2. Heroin
According to the reports of the Ohio Department of Health, heroin is fast becoming the most common substance use disorder here. This is due to the increasing import of heroin from Mexico.
Mostly, Ohioans prefer white powder mixed with carfentanil or fentanyl. It is a potent opioid mixture that’s also termed as Gray Death. It claims many lives in Ohio every year.
- A record number of 3050 people died due to Gray Death during 2015 in the state.
- Heroin-involved deaths peaked at 1478 during 2016, though this number fell to 1000 in 2017.
- The average rate of heroin deaths in Ohio is 23. Three out of four heroin users accept that they abused prescription drugs earlier.
3. Marijuana
Marijuana is one of the most abused substances in Ohio. It is legal for medical uses in the state, but the stats show its blatant abuse in many parts of Ohio. High-grade extracts and concentrates are readily available on the streets, especially the dabs for smoking pots.
- In 2015, one out of seven people in Ohio used marijuana.
- The rate of marijuana smoking increased by at least 14.9% from 2015 to 2016.
- Marijuana abuse among high-schoolers in 2013-14 was 6.04% as per a report by SAMHSA.
4. Stimulants
Cocaine and Meth are the most commonly abused drugs or stimulants in Ohio. Remember the cocaine epidemic of the 1980s and 1990s.
The deaths by cocaine abuse rose to 300 in 2011, and it’s been increasing annually since then. Easy availability of Methamphetamine and cocaine is the reason for this rising abuse. They give an instant high that makes them popular among high schoolers as well.
- A recent DEA report suggests that Franklin, Cuyahoga, Lucas, Butler, and Hamilton counties in the state dispense the largest volumes of stimulants.
- Ohio produces meth in smaller quantities, but Mexican industrial labs ship higher volumes into the state.
- Meth lab seizure incidents reported an increase of 36% from 258 to 352 episodes during 2008-2011.
5. Alcohol
Though alcohol abuse is prevalent in the entire country, it’s on the rise in Ohio. About 20% of the adults in the state are binge drinkers, according to the Ohio Department of Mental Health & Addiction Services.
The number of motor vehicle accidents due to drunk driving is also quite high in the state. In 2015, nearly 380 Ohioans died due to drinking. Look at these facts to know more:
- 35% of people in Ohio die due to alcohol-related causes.
- Roughly 720,000 people meet the criteria for binge drinking in the state.
- A New York Times report says that students of Ohio State University like binge drinking more than other universities or colleges in the country.
Find the Right Treatment for Substance Abuse in Ohio
Substance abuse in Ohio might be rampant, but you can withdraw with the right help.
If you or someone you love needs recovery from the most abused substances in Ohio, look for treatment at a dedicated facility. The treatment for substance abuse requires several steps to nip the problem in the bud.
Recovery isn’t easy, but with an individualized treatment plan to guide you, it is a step worth taking. When you get tangled in drugs and substances, don’t suffer alone. Call Rehab Adviser to explore your recovery options.
Sources:
- https://www.10tv.com/HeroinAtHome
- https://www.cdc.gov/drugoverdose/data/heroin.html
- https://www.usnews.com/news/best-states/ohio/articles/2017-05-04/gray-death-dangerous-opioid-combo-is-latest-mixing-trend
- https://coroner.franklincountyohio.gov/media/press-release-1st-quarter-2019-preliminary-overdos
- https://www.drugabuse.gov/opioid-summaries-by-state/ohio-opioid-summary
- https://www.nbcnews.com/nightly-news/video/opioid-addiction-how-ohio-has-become-the-epicenter-971802691633
- http://aohc.net/aws/AOHC/asset_manager/get_file/176458?ver=13
- https://ohio.gov/wps/portal/gov/site/government/state-agencies/mental-health-and-addiction-services
- https://www.cdc.gov/vitalsigns/alcohol-poisoning-deaths/infographic.html
- https://www.dispatch.com/content/stories/local/2016/08/25/drug-overdose-deaths-pushed-to-another-record-high-in-ohio.html
- https://odh.ohio.gov/wps/portal/gov/odh/know-our-programs/violence-injury-prevention-program/Drug-overdose/