“Smoking Overtakes Injecting as Most Common Method of Drug Use in US Overdose Deaths, CDC Study Finds”

Smoking Overtakes Injecting as Most Common Method of Drug Use in US Overdose Deaths, CDC Study Finds

In a groundbreaking study conducted by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), it has been revealed that smoking has surpassed injecting as the most common method of drug use in U.S. overdose deaths. This study, which is the largest of its kind, sheds light on the evolving landscape of drug use in America and the potential implications for public health.

The CDC embarked on this study after receiving reports from California that suggested smoking fentanyl was becoming more prevalent than injecting it. Fentanyl, a potent painkiller, is involved in more overdose deaths in the U.S. than any other drug. Early research has indicated that smoking fentanyl may be somewhat less deadly than injecting it, which could potentially lead to a reduction in injection-related overdose deaths.

Lead author of the study, Lauren Tanz, acknowledges the potential benefits of this shift towards smoking fentanyl, stating that “any reduction in injection-related overdose deaths is a positive.” However, she also emphasizes that both injection and smoking carry a substantial overdose risk, and it remains unclear if the shift towards smoking will ultimately reduce overdose deaths in the U.S.

Illicit fentanyl, known for its potency, has increasingly been mixed with heroin or other drugs. It has been a primary driver of the U.S. overdose epidemic in recent years. While fentanyl has traditionally been injected, drug users have been turning to smoking as an alternative method. By placing the powder on tin foil or in a glass pipe and heating it from below, users can inhale the vapor. Although smoked fentanyl is not as concentrated as its syringe counterpart, there are perceived advantages to smoking. For instance, individuals who inject drugs often suffer from pus-filled abscesses and are at risk of infections such as hepatitis. Smoking eliminates these visible signs of drug use, enabling individuals to lead more normal lives.

The CDC study analyzed a national database compiled from death certificates, toxicology reports, and reports from coroners and medical examiners. The researchers obtained data from the District of Columbia and 27 states for the years 2020 to 2022, representing approximately 23% of the total U.S. overdose deaths during that period. The findings revealed a 74% increase in overdose deaths with evidence of smoking and a 29% decrease in deaths with evidence of injection between early 2020 and late 2022. Additionally, the study found an increase in deaths with evidence of snorting, although not as significant as smoking-related deaths.

Determining the exact percentages of deaths resulting from different drug-taking methods is complex. In some cases, individuals may have used multiple drugs in various ways, while in others, the method of drug use remains unidentified. However, the study found that in late 2022, of the deaths for which a method was identified, 23% occurred after smoking, 16% after injections, 16% after snorting, and 14.5% after swallowing.

Lead author Lauren Tanz believes that the data is nationally representative, as it includes states from every region of the country, all of which showed increases in smoking and decreases in injecting. The report indicates that smoking was the most common route in the West and Midwest, while it was roughly tied with injecting in the Northeast and South.

While this study provides valuable insights into the changing landscape of drug use in the U.S., it does have limitations. Determining the exact cause and method of an overdose death can be challenging, especially in cases where there are no witnesses. Injection marks on the body often make injections more easily identifiable, whereas detecting smoking requires finding a pipe or foil at the scene. Additionally, it is worth noting that investigators may mistake a straw used for inhaling fentanyl vapors as evidence of snorting.

The findings of this CDC study highlight the need for continued research and comprehensive strategies to address the evolving patterns of drug use in the U.S. Understanding the most common methods of drug use can inform harm reduction efforts and help save lives. As the nation grapples with the ongoing overdose epidemic, it is crucial to adapt interventions and policies to effectively combat this public health crisis.