Deaths from drug overdoses, particularly prescription painkillers, increased significantly over a decade, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention reported. In 2008, 36,450 people died of drug overdoses _ a national rate of nearly 12 per 100,000 people.
States with the highest rates for fatal drug overdoses:
1. New Mexico, 27
2. West Virginia, 25.8
3. Nevada, 19.6
4. Utah, 18.4
5. Alaska,18.1
6. Kentucky, 17.9
7. Rhode Island, 17.2
8. Florida, 16.5kk
9. Oklahoma, 15.8
10. Ohio, 15.1
Nationally, almost 5 percent of Americans 12 and older reported abusing painkillers in the past year. States with the highest abuse rates:
1. Oklahoma, 8.1 percent
2. Oregon, 6.8 percent
3. Washington, 6.1 percent
3. Rhode Island, 6.1 percent
4. Arizona, 6 percent
4. Kentucky, 6 percent
5. West Virginia, 5.9 percent
5. Nevada, 5.9 percent
5. New Hampshire, 5.9 percent
6. Idaho, 5.8 percent
___
Online:
Please read our comment policy before commenting.