The increasing number of drug overdose deaths in the U.S. alarms many parents in both high-trafficking counties and non-high-trafficking counties. With studies showing a 70-fold increase, there is a strong reason why many parents will be worried.
High Drug Overdose Deaths In Non-High-Trafficking Counties
According to Live Science, what is more appalling with the results of the new study is that there are counties which are not high-trafficking, yet they have a high number of drug overdose deaths. This goes to show that drugs pass from these high-trafficking counties to non-high-trafficking ones, but the latter are the ones that feel the brunt of the blow.
Another disturbing result was that there are counties that are not covered by the federal government's resources to combat drug problems, yet they show high drug overdose deaths. The lesser coverage endangers the population within these counties.
"Our research reveals several potential new drug overdose problem regions that warrant careful attention," said Jeanine Buchanich, a co-author of the study from the University of Pittsburgh's Center for Occupational Biostatistics and Epidemiology. By identifying newly-formed drug trafficking regions, the federal government may be able to act on it and implement drug curtailment measures.
Western Pennsylvania
One example given was western Pennsylvania. Drug overdose death rates in this area grew exponentially over time yet ironically, it is not considered as one with high drug trafficking.
According to Science Daily, drug overdose death rates increased by 6.7 percent every year since 1979. There are also areas where drug overdose death rates remained constant such as in counties located at the U.S. border. This indicates that more drugs are passing through these counties and are being distributed all over the U.S. affecting previously non-high-trafficking counties.
With this appalling report, there is a very good reason for parents to be worried. Drugs destroy life. Drugs kill. These findings must be enough to prompt the federal government to take the necessary action to minimize, if not altogether put a stop, to drug trafficking.
