America’s methamphetamine-related deaths soar

Drug overdose deaths caused by methamphetamine use in the United States have risen sharply over the past decade, according to a new government report released on Wednesday. Since 2011, according to the report, annual methamphetamine overdose death rates have increased in all population groups in America and are particularly high among American Indians and Alaska Natives. The results underscore that opioids are not the only drug leading to a record spike in overdose deaths in recent years.

The report was the work of scientists from the National Institute on Drug Abuse (NIDA) and is based on mortality data collected by the federal government.

Opioids such as fentanyl and heroin continue to account for the majority of overdose deaths each year, with deaths increasing almost every year since 2010. In 2019, just over 70,000 overdose deaths were reported, since fentanyl is thought to be involved in more than half of these deaths (often more than one drug will be involved in a single death). But scientists and public health experts have noticed a corresponding increase in deaths from stimulants such as cocaine and methamphetamine. Around 16,000 deaths in 2019 are believed to be from potentially abusive psychostimulants, a category that excludes cocaine and largely accounts for methamphetamine deaths.

According to the new report, published In JAMA Psychiatry, America’s overall methamphetamine death rate increased five-fold between 2011 and 2018.

In 2011, about 1.3 in 100,000 Americans died from methamphetamine; by 2018, that number had risen to 7.3 per 100,000 Americans. This increase was particularly pronounced among Native Americans and Alaska Natives, who were already more likely to die from methamphetamine before the recent increase. In 2011, 4.5 out of 100,000 in this group died from methamphetamine; in 2018, that figure rose to 20.9 per 100,000. Meanwhile, methamphetamine-related deaths are also on the rise among groups who previously appeared to rarely use the drug, particularly black Americans. Only 0.4 deaths per 100,000 were seen in this group in 2011, but the rate increased tenfold to 4 deaths per 100,000 in 2018, the largest increase seen among any racial group. Deaths were highest among men of all racial groups, but rates among women have started to increase rapidly since 2014/2015.

“While much attention has been focused on the opioid crisis, a methamphetamine crisis has quietly, but actively, gained momentum, especially among Native Americans and Alaskan Indians, who are disproportionately affected by a number of health issues, ”said Nora Volkow, lead author of the study. , director of NIDA, in a declaration published by the agency.

One of the likely reasons why stimulant-related deaths have increased in recent years is that people often use other drugs at the same time, including the very potent opioid fentanyl. But there is some evidence that the use of meth in particular is increasing regardless of trends in opioid use. Unfortunately, the options for treating methamphetamine use disorders are extremely limited. There are no drugs approved to help people trying to quit using methamphetamine manage their withdrawal and craving symptoms. Last week, however, research conducted by NIDA found evidence that combination drug therapy may provide modest benefit in the treatment of these symptoms for methamphetamine users specifically, when combined with standard advice.

Experts said and first data suggests that 2020 will have been an even worse year for fatal drug overdoses, which will likely include an increase in methamphetamine-related deaths. While there is hope that better access to treatment and support services can start to turn the tide and reduce overdose deaths, it is likely that many people will continue to die from methamphetamine and methamphetamine. other drugs in the years to come.