Prescription Drugs and Overdose Among Seniors

by Rose Broyles

In light of the recent death of pop icon Michael Jackson, I started thinking about all of the recent tragedies in Hollywood that have come to pass due to prescription drug overdose. Of course,the death of Jackson is still under investigation but many people close to him have suspected prescription drug abuse for awhile. Heath Ledger and Anna Nicole Smith both died from deadly combinations of prescription drugs and there were others who also died of the same fate. All of these stars were relatively young, especially Heath Ledger. Several things got me thinking about the effects of prescription drug overdose in seniors. 

A National Problem

• An article from the Huffington Post  noted a report from the Drug Policy Alliance indicating that drug overdose is now the second leading cause of accidental death in the United States. 
• Typical drugs are painkillers and opiates: morphine and codeine, and synthetics like Percodan, Percoset, Oxycontin and Vicodin

Who?

Most of the deaths occurring are happening in age groups: 20 to 64

How it Affects Seniors

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