Opioids Linked to Increase in Cocaine-Related Overdose Deaths
Heroin and synthetic opioids are propelling an upsurge of late in cocaine-related overdose deaths. This is according to a national survey carried out by researchers at the National Institute on Drug Abuse (NIDA) amongst other drug prevention and treatment research bodies.
The report shows that cocaine-related overdose deaths increased between 2000 – 2006 and declined between 2006 – 2010. This correlates with supply reduction and higher street prices.
Notably, however, the authors also found that, despite a decrease in use, cocaine-related overdose deaths after 2010 actually increased. They explain that this rise was related to cocaine-related overdose deaths involving opioids, particularly heroin and synthetic opioids. This corresponds with a growth in supply and use of heroin and illegally-produced fentanyl in the US.
According to the report's authors, the conclusions reached highlight the need for public health initiatives to offer more access to naloxone to counter-act opioid overdoses. This would involve providing naloxone to cocaine users and expanding medication-assisted treatment for opioid use disorders.
