More Americans Dying from Opioid Overdoses Than Car Crashes

For the first time, Americans are now more likely to die from an opioid overdose than a car accident.

According to a recent report from the National Safety Council, Americans have a one-in-103 chance of dying in a motor vehicle crash in their lifetimes, but a one-in-96 chance of dying from an opioid overdose. U.S. residents also have a one-in-six chance of dying from heart disease, a one-in-seven chance of dying from cancer and a one-in-285 chance of dying of a gun attack. The report focused on data from 2017, the most recent year for which there is complete information available.

Opioid crisis continues to expand

These numbers reflect just how serious the opioid crisis has become. Consider this: for people who never use opioids, there is no chance of dying of an overdose. This is a significant portion of the population. There are many more people who use cars on a daily or near-daily basis, and the chance of a person dying from a car crash is still lower than an opioid overdose.

Fentanyl has become the opioid of choice on the black market, and deaths from opioids in general have hit 14.9 per 100,000 as of 2017. Heroin also remains popular on the black market, but fentanyl is cheaper, more potent and deadlier.

It thus comes as no surprise that law enforcement agencies are doing everything that they can to ramp up enforcement in areas that have been hit hardest by the opioid crisis. Pennsylvania has been hit especially hard, as drug abuse statistics have been soaring in the state.

If you have been charged with a drug crime, the prosecution will be determined to seek harsh penalties against you. It’s important to remember that you have rights. Work with trusted Reading drug crime defense lawyer David R. Eshelman for further guidance.