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Report Details The Drugs That Kill In Escambia
December 5, 2010
A recently released report details the drugs that kill in the Escambia County area, using information compiled from autopsies performed by medical examiners across the state from January through June 2010. During that period there were approximately 89,800 deaths in Florida. Of those, 4,150 individuals were found to have died with one or more of the drugs specified in this report in their bodies.
“In order for a death to be considered ‘drug-related’ there must be at least one drug identified in the decedent, which is a drug occurrence,” according to the report.
The results are from the Florida Department of Law Enforcement (FDLE) and the Florida Medical Examiners Commission Report on Drugs Identified in Deceased Persons.
In the region served by the Pensacola Medical Examiners Office, there were 69 deaths recorded of persons with the drugs in their system during the first half of the year.
Drugs and the numbers of deaths are detailed below.
Alprazolam Deaths — 15
A drug used to treat anxiety disorders and panic attacks. Common brand name Xanex.
Diazepam Deaths — 6
A family of sedative-hypnotic drugs indicated for the treatment of stress, anxiety, seizures and alcohol withdrawal. Benzodiazepines are often referred to as “minor tranquilizers.” Xanax (Alprazolam) and Valium (Diazepam) are the most commonly prescribed drugs in this drug class.
Oxycodone Deaths — 7
A narcotic analgesic (pain killer). OxyContin is one form of this drug and goes by the street name “OC”. Percocet, Percodan, Roxicet, Tylox, and Roxicodone also contain Oxycodone.
Hydrocodone Deaths — 13
A narcotic analgesic (pain killer). Vicodin and Lortab are two common drugs containing hydrocodone.
Methadone Deaths — 15
Methadone – A synthetic narcotic analgesic (pain killer) commonly associated with Heroin detoxification and maintenance programs but it is also prescribed to treat severe pain. It has been increasingly prescribed in place of oxycodone for pain management. Dolophine is one form of methadone.
Morphine Deaths — 4
Morphine – A narcotic analgesic (pain killer) used to treat moderate to severe pain. MS (Morphine Sulfate), Kadian, and MS-Contin are the tablet forms, Roxanol is the liquid form.
Propoxyphene Deaths — 1
A synthetic narcotic analgesic (pain killer) used for mild to moderate pain. A chemical cousin to methadone, it is marketed under the trade name Darvon and Darvocet when mixed with acetaminophen.
Cocaine Deaths — 8
An illicit stimulant. Powdered cocaine goes by many street names including “C”, “blow”, “snow” and “nose candy”, while freebase cocaine is mostly commonly known as “crack.”
Comments
24 Responses to “Report Details The Drugs That Kill In Escambia”
Jennifer, you are so right. My nephew made the decision to take the drugs. He was addicted for many years. I just wish that the person who happened to have Methadone that night didn’t offer them to him.
So let me get this straight, the ones of you who are blaming the doctors and the pills are the same people who think guns kill people and pencils are the cause of misspelled words…it’s irresponsible individuals who are to blame for the high rate of addicition whether it be pills or alcohol. If people would start taking responsibility for their actions this world would be a better place. America is a country of blamers.
As far as Sandra saying “If you folks dont think that drugs are killing our county as well as our nation you’ve got your blinders on.” I do believe this is happening, however I believe this story to be misleading. It never says drugs killed those 4,150 people, it says those drugs were present at the time of death. That was all I was saying.
My nephew recently died from an overdose; he was always taking Lortabs for pain, until someone gave him Methadone one night; I guess the combination of the two killed him. He was only 25.
are you saying that people are dying from taking these medications or are they using too many and OVERDOSING? it should be stated clear about the reasons that the medications kill because there are about 6 of these medications that i take for various reason, but are doctor prescribed.
METHADONE WILL KILL YOU IF IT IS MIXED WITH XANAX OR ALCOHOL….
This is in response to “IF”
Please don’t blame the doctors for a person’s narcotic addiction. Doctors are held to a very strict protocol regarding dispensing or writing an Rx. There are a number of doctors in this area who simply will not write an Rx for narcotic drugs and who can blame them? It is not the doctor who is breaking the law, it is the patient (who does not follow the strict guidelines for taking these medications) and then finds themselves dependent. As for their names being passed through every computer…that system is, in fact, in place all over the United States, through each and every pharmacy. People break the law by having the drug dispensed to them though phony identification, and/or walking into a doctor’s office pretending to be in excruciating pain for the soul purpose of obtaining narcotic prescriptions (what we call “doctor shopping”). As with all of society, there may be a “few bad apple doctors” who prescribe narcotics for financial gain. We have hundreds of reputable doctors in this area who are doing a terrific job at what they do best, keeping us healthy and enjoying life.
What I find so disturbing is the Methadone “clinic” just south of Cantonment on Hwy. 29. Anytime you pass there in the mornings, the parking lot is full. The state is dispensing Methadone for $15.00 to people who are trying to “clean up their act”. I personally know some of these people who are regular users of drugs and this is just another way to get high. This is being paid for by our tax dollars. My daughter has used this drug and says that is does inhibit driving ability, so be careful when you pass this unmarked building. People pulling out onto the highway are under the influence.
If these doctors would stop giving them out like candy, this problem may be gotten a little more under control. When any person is given hard narcotics, their names should be passed through EVERY computer in the USA, along with ss number so when they try to go elsewhere and get them through another dr, their name will pop up with a red flag. It should show when and where they got the 1st prescription, how many they were prescribed and for what. It’s these dr’s that get the patients hooked on these things so they have to keep taking them. All you have to say is that you still hurt, and out comes the pad, it’s just wayyyyy to easy.
REGARDING:
“So, what about all the crack and other drugs. ”
Refer to the statement in the article: “Cocaine Deaths — 8
An illicit stimulant. Powdered cocaine goes by many street names including “C”, “blow”, “snow” and “nose candy”, while freebase cocaine is mostly commonly known as “crack.” ”
So yes, it addresses crack as part of the general use of cocaine, not breaking it down into type.
Those who wonder about deaths with marijuana, if it were simply present in the bodies, one would would assume some would show up. If it were only addressing those in which the drugs associated directly killed, it is reasonable to assume the number would be zero.
David considering killer chemicals
and nonkillers (at least directly)
This story was spot on William. If you folks dont think that drugs are killing our county as well as our nation you’ve got your blinders on. Everyday drugs kill the abuser as well as others who are the victims of crimes perpetrated by those seeking drugs or money to buy drugs. Personally, I wish that we could buy an island somewhere and when some druggie is caught we could ship em off to it and let them detox or die in the process. I have zero sympathy for those weak minded individuals who are stupid enough to take that first hit of some drug and then get hooked.
One this is for sure here and that is the article is not telling the whole story! That could be becaus e of the information that was given for sure but it seems to me that when the report said “Of those, 4,150 individuals were found to have died with one or more of the drugs specified in this report in their bodies.” So, what about all the crack and other drugs. Do tey just account for the Rx drugs you can get at any Rx store? I just don’t feel the whole picture is being revealed here. Jus my 2 cents! Just saying.
Post-traumatic…my bad.
This is very misleading, “The Drugs That Kill In Escambia”…
but the article then states “During that period there were approximately 89,800 deaths in Florida. Of those, 4,150 individuals were found to have died with one or more of the drugs specified in this report in their bodies.”
It does not mean those drugs were the reason that person died or that the person abused those drugs; only that those drugs were present in that persons system at the time of death. Many times a person has a specific anxiety disorder or they may have pre-traumatic stress disorder (think of many of our soldiers that come back from war) and are taking these drugs that are prescribed by a doctor. If they get in a car accident, die of a heart attack, or any other tragic way those pills will be in their system. Same for painkillers, many times they are prescribed for legitimate reasons. Alcohol and marijuana are choices that the individual makes and they are typically for recreational purposes (and sometimes are an addiction). I do understand some people abuse all the drugs listed in the article, however, it’s not fair to state those drugs across the board are “killers”. Just sayin’
alcohol is at the top of the list when it comes to killer drugs (imho….)
I don’t see any Marijuana deaths listed , but yet its not legal
HMMMM!
Seven out of eight drugs listed can be purchased legally with a prescription from your friendly pill pusher at your local pharmacy.
“Ethyl Alcohol (270), ”
Which I assume means they died solely from ethyl alcohol consumption–body shut down in some way, likely breathing, not counting the ones who killed or were killed as an indirect of consumption
A few asked about alcohol. From the report about STATEWIDE numbers:
The drugs that caused the most deaths were Oxycodone (715), all Benzodiazepines (597 – includes 439 deaths caused by Alprazolam), Methadone
(336), Ethyl Alcohol (270), and Cocaine (250).
However, the report does not break out alcohol on a local level, which was the purpose of the story.
REGARDING;
“89,800 deaths in Florida. Of those, 4,150 ”
4.62% had some sort of drugs in their systems
95.38% did not
And it doesn’t actually specify the drugs contributed to their deaths, just that they were present.
Interesting, I would have thought it would have been higher
David for dying drug free
Don’t forget the alcohol! http://www.northescambia.com/?p=20803
Well the fact that there is a CVS and Walgreens at major every intersection in this town, I am surprised that the numbers aren’t higher.
Story headline reads…
“Report Details The Drugs That Kill In Escambia”
Why was ALCOHOL not mentioned considering it is directly or indirectly responsible for more than 100,000 deaths nationwide each year. Surely some of those deaths occured here, I remember several that were reported on here at Northescambia.com this year alone.
Also noticed that marijuana was not listed as causing any deaths. One would think that a drug that is classified as a Schedule 1 narcotic by the FDLE & DEA would be responsible for a few deaths. Thank goodness we have the government in place to tell us what is good and what is bad for us… I mean they do such a good job managing everything else right? LOL
“Here We GoAgain”
This artical is just an advertisement for some one to sell this trash.
This artical is just an advertisement for some one to suck up this trash.
6 of 8 are for pain. A very good (I guess) discriptions for some one to try this trash.
1 is for a “PANIC ATTACK?” Are these for 12,13,14,1/sell.5,16, year olds to use or for 17, 18,19,20, 30,40,50,60,70,80, year olds to sell this trash. Yes 80 year olds. Just recently in Escambia County Florida.
Yes this is an advertisement also for someone to try this trash.
Yes this is an advertisement also for someone to sell this trash.
1 is for illicit stimulant. What in the world is illicit stimulant? Is this the name of this trash.
Yes this is an advertisement for someone to try or sell this trash to your grandson.
Yes this is an advertisement for someone to try or sell this trash to your
granddaughter.
1 is for alcohol withdrawel?
Yes this is also an advertisement for someone to try or sell this trash. Best way to stop being an alcoholic is to don’t drink it anymore. Eazy said, Eazy done? Take dope to cure being a drunk? Think about it! The best way is to just don’t pick up a beer can anymore.is the best way.
The most stupid thing we see and hear is from our public officials, TV, Radio, Newspaper, Internet and the last most stupid advertisement is to here some that are running for political office present to the public just what it takes to make this trash. This happened here in Escambia County Alabama.
Look at our local newspaper and count on the front page how many articals are on it and then count how many are drug related.
In this artical is said “a recently released report” who the heck put this report out. They should be “Locked UP”
I could go on and on but my two fingers are getting tired.
Mickey Powell
Flomaton
I don’t understand this article…….in the article it says, ” 4,150 individuals were found to have died with one or more of the drugs specified in this report in their bodies.” But it is titled “Report Details The Drugs That Kill In Escambia”
So, was the ’cause’ of death the drugs, or were the drugs just found in the tox screen of these people after dreath. Just because some people take these, by prescription, and need them, and die of natural causes, or in an accident, doesn’t mean these drugs played a role in causing their death.
The report should have been more clear.