In 2021, around 52,400 Americans died from meth overdoses, with heroin or fentanyl accounting for 61% of the deaths.
SEATTLE, Wash. Methamphetamine is killing more Americans every year, and health professionals are concerned.
The drug has become more popular and lethal in recent years, leaving health officials and police trying to contain its spread.
“It’s really taken off.” And what’s really happened in the last five years is that it’s started to be mixed with opiates,” said Paul Borghesani, a physician at the University of Washington.
Borghesani analyzes drug trends in the United States and has noted an increase in the dangers of the stimulant methamphetamine being coupled with depressive drugs like heroin or fentanyl.
“When you mix the two, you’re kind of giving a mixed message to the body,” explained Borghesani.”Which can make it quite lethal, because you kind of get picked up sometimes and then crash off of it.”
According to the most recent data from the American Public Health Association, this combination is responsible for a significant rise in mortality.
According to the APHA, meth killed 608 individuals in 1999. In 2021, that figure was roughly 52,400, with heroin or fentanyl accounting for 61% of fatal meth overdoses.
“America is being inundated with methamphetamine and synthetic drugs like fentanyl,” said Derek Maltz, former DEA Special Operations Director. “And our citizens across the country are being harmed at historic levels.”
Maltz has been following the rise of methamphetamine in the United States. He’s witnessed an increase in the amount of narcotics flowing up from the southern border and entering local towns.
“The cartels are bringing liquid meth into America,” Mr. Maltz claimed. “They’re setting up labs to convert the liquid meth into the crystal meth that’s out on the streets.”
Methamphetamine has surpassed cocaine as the second most common substance involved in overdose deaths in the previous three years, according to the CDC.
