2021 AM Posters-Methamphetamine and Other Associated Drugs as Cause of

Methamphetamine and Other Associated Drugs as Cause of

Pdf Summary

This study analyzed accidental overdose death data from Harris County, Texas between 2016 and 2020. The cases involved drugs such as methamphetamine (MA), alcohol, benzodiazepines, heroin, cocaine, and opioids, including heroin, fentanyl, and prescription opioids. The study found a six-fold increase in MA overdoses during this time period. The co-occurrence of MA and benzodiazepines also increased significantly, raising concerns and the need for further investigation. MA combined with opioids, particularly heroin and fentanyl, posed a significant risk. The study suggests implementing public health strategies to educate about the risks of mixing MA with other substances and providing widespread access to opioid antagonist medications for stimulant users. Demographic data revealed that the majority of overdose cases were male and White. All opioids, cocaine, and MA were the most commonly observed drugs in these cases. MA was involved in 36% of cases in 2020 compared to 13% in 2016. There was a notable uptrend in MA, heroin, fentanyl, and total opioid involvement over the study period. The co-occurrence of MA with other drugs also showed a statistically significant upward trend. The co-involvement of MA and benzodiazepines increased by 176% between 2019 and 2020. In 2020, opioids were co-involved with MA in about 60% of cases, with heroin being the most common, followed by fentanyl. In contrast, MA and benzodiazepines were co-involved in 37% of cases. The study highlights the need for targeted interventions and prevention efforts to address the rising overdose deaths associated with MA and other drugs in Harris County, Texas.

Keywords

accidental overdose death

Harris County

Texas

methamphetamine

benzodiazepines

heroin

cocaine

opioids

fentanyl

demographic data

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