In California, for instance, several addictive drugs are abused at extremely high rates. Approximately 2.7 million people (8% of the population) struggle with drug abuse in California. Most addictive drugs, whether legal or illicit, can be deadly when misused. They have the potential to completely ruin a person’s life or even end it. Many of the substances are lethal due to their potency, while others cause lifelong side effects after only one use.
If you use drugs recreationally or are struggling with addiction, you can protect yourself from harm by learning about the top 5 drugs that can be deadly when abused.
#1. Marijuana
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Nearly 35% of Californians report using marijuana. Although recreational marijuana use is legal in the state, the primary reason for the high rate of abuse is due to the state’s proximity to the border with Mexico, which has a history of marijuana trafficking.
Marijuana misuse can cause mild symptoms such as drowsiness, disorientation, increased heart rate, and hallucinations. It can also impair judgment and cause memory problems and diminished cognitive functioning. Marijuana can be laced with fentanyl which increases the risks of overdose or death.
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#2. Opioids
About 8% of California residents abuse opioids such as Percocet, Vicodin, Oxycontin, and fentanyl. Opioids are involved in about 45% of fatal overdoses in California.
Fentanyl is an opioid analog that is at the top of the list of deadly drugs in California because it causes more than 6,000 deaths each year. This synthetic opioid is similar to morphine, but 50 to 100 times more potent. In California, fentanyl is involved in 51% of overdose deaths.
Street drugs such as meth, heroin, cocaine, and MDMA are often laced with fentanyl to cut costs and increase potency. Individuals purchase these drugs unaware of the presence of fentanyl. As a result, many of them suffer fatal overdoses. The main cause of fentanyl overdose is respiratory depression.
#3. Cocaine
Among the most dangerous drugs in California, cocaine is the third most abused drug in the state. More than 7.2% of the population uses cocaine recreationally. Cocaine abuse accounts for 14% of treatment admissions in the state each year.
As a stimulant, cocaine produces a rush of energy that many fast-paced Californians enjoy and rely on. The drug is highly addictive and can cause mood changes, heart problems, addiction, seizures, and overdose. Although cocaine use in the state has declined in recent years, it still contributes to the high crime rates.
#4. Meth
Meth ranks among the top drugs of abuse in California. In some areas of the state, meth outranks opioids as the cause of fatal overdoses. In only five years, the rate of ER visits related to crystal meth rose by a whopping 600%.
Meth can cause serious health problems such as damage to major organs and mental issues such as psychosis, paranoia, hallucinations, violent behavior, and fatal overdose.
#5. Alcohol
Alcohol is one of the most common deadly drugs of abuse. Depressants like alcohol slow down the central nervous system. This effect causes impaired judgment, aggressive behavior, blackouts, and more. More than 6.4% of California residents have alcohol use disorder.
Because alcohol is a legal substance, it is easy to obtain and is socially acceptable at many events and celebrations worldwide. Alcohol is one of the most widely abused legal substances available today, and it is equally as deadly as illegal ones.
Drug abuse in California is dominated by several other popular, but hazardous, substances such as:
Surprisingly, the most deadly drugs being misused today are not all illicit drugs as you would think. Several of them are legal drugs prescribed by doctors, so they are assumed to be safe.
The Solution
The real answer is to get the facts and safeguard yourself, and your future, by not taking drugs in the first place. Consult a doctor for help or alternative solutions to handle any medical condition you may be suffering from. In the final analysis, drugs harm more than they help. They destroy the body, impair the mind and can take everything from you. Help us educate others and end their destructive grip on our society. For more information, visit drugfreeworld.org or e-mail: [email protected].
