US Meth Overdose Fatalities Surge almost Triple as Minorities & Impoverished Impacted Heavily

Study report meth overdose deaths from 2015 - 2019 almost triple

Diane Lilli
Posted

Meth-related overdose deaths are growing fast in the US, with a study by the National Institute on Drug A house (NIDA)  reporting dire statistics. The study reviewed meth data from 2015 - 2019, and reveals a dramatic surge in meth-related deaths in the US.

This study discovered higher risk patterns of methamphetamine use and "increased diversity in populations with methamphetamine use disorder risk (particularly those with socioeconomic risk factors and comorbidities) during a time of increasing overdose mortality."

The study reports, " In this cross-sectional study of 195?711 respondents to a national survey from 2015 to 2019, methamphetamine use, frequent use, co-use with cocaine, and methamphetamine use disorder increased 43% to 105%. Methamphetamine use disorder without injection doubled overall and increased 10-fold among Black individuals, and risk factors included lower socioeconomic status factors, criminal justice involvement, and comorbidities."

The impact of meth usage and fatalities is dramatically different among users. Native  Americans reported the highest numbers of meth use; Black Americans reported a dramatic rise, over ten times,  in meth usage, for non-injected meth. Overall, the study shows those at the very highest risk of meth overdose and death are most often linked to t low economic levels and race, with minorities impacted heavily.

Currently, the US has no approved medications to treat methamphetamine usage disorder.

To read the entire study, click here.