(Forbes) Newly released data on deaths related to prescription opioids and heroin reinforces the immediate need for the medical community to solve the complex problem of overprescribing controlled substances. Without taking the proper steps, drug overdoses could continue to rise.
While there were 16,235 deaths involving prescription opioids in 2013, an increase of 1% from 2012, the number of deaths involving heroin increased dramatically. There were 8,257 heroin-related deaths in 2013, up 39% from 2012. Total drug overdose deaths in 2013 hit 43,982, up 6% from 2012.