This first chart reflects the number of NorCo residents hospitalized with overdoses in 2015 (250), 2016 (567) and 2017 (558). Though overdoses dropped slightly in 2017, both 2016 and 2017 are double the number of overdoses in 2015.
This chart breaks down overdoses by month. I am unable to discern a pattern. Perhaps you see something I am missing.
Here you can see that the percentage of males who overdose is slightly higher than women.
As you may have guessed, young people are most severely impacted by overdoses, especially those between 15 and 44.
It's no surprise that residents living in zip codes 18015, 18017 and 18042, which include Bethlehem and Easton, would have high number of overdoses. But so does zip code 18067 (Northampton) and 18064 (Nazareth).
Statistics gathered by the Coroner show that drug overdose deaths have quadrupled since 2010.
Interestingly, 80% of those who die from drug overdoses are white.
Though younger people experience the most drug overdoses, the highest number of overdose deaths is in the 51-60 age group.
33 comments:
try
http://www.latimes.com/projects/oxycontin-part1/
a series of articles that explain the rise of the opioid epidemic.
basically people who were given oxycontin as a 12 hour answer to pain management led to abuse of the drug as for most people it did not last 12 hours and they took at shorter intervals.
Ironically when they tightened up on prescribing oxycontin that led to a black market in it.
all kinds of folks were hooked from rich to poor.
After that heroin use skyrocketed as people needed that fix and it was cheaper on the street than oxycontin.
younger people have greater access to illegal drugs but survive overdoses as they tend to be in better shape physically.
Older folks tend to have better access to prescribed drugs but die from overdoses as they are not as healthy.
This has gotten worse since 2016.
Anon -5:24 - your obsessed with some alleged “high school” event . As a street psychologist,I would strongly encourage you to seek professional help and subsequent management. For your own good ,and that of the general public. Your life is disarray,isn’t it?
5:24 is a troll and I delete him.
Talk and statistics are cheap entertainment. So what! What's the plan?
“Interestingly, 80% of the overdoses are white” - This should not be surprising to anyone, since it reflects the demographics of the Lehigh Valley. This scourge inflicts its harm across race without asking the color of your skin.
The second chart shows that at the end of 2017, we were at the same level as the end of 2015. Looks like we were getting a handle on things.
The only way we are going to get a grip on this drug rage is to give stiff punishment to first time offenders. No mercy. I don't hear anyone complaining about putting these slimy bastards in our prisons. Put them in jail and throw away the key. Build more jails if needed, but get the slime balls off the street.
The “blue lights” in the restaurant bathrooms will only push junkies to remote areas where they will undiscovered. I would think the possibility exists that public rest rooms are used as a back up ,knowing if they go under ,somebody will discover them and get help. How can a young person trying to get their life together under the influence ever make it? It’s hard enough to make life work for you as an under privileged person - but add the narcotic events and its over forever Evan if your in your parents $ 450,000 Home. Schools should be painting a picture early and often . “ this is what your life looks like “ if you play with this stuff . It knows no social code,race or eye color. Parents have to keep their kids busy in constructive events Evan if it costs you money ,keep them at something,and keep them off the sofa.
6:57, I have no plan. I also know that coming up with one is impossible without knowing the facts. That is far from “cheap entertainment.”
7:06, you are completely out of your mind.
We all know there is a problem...wringing our hands and sobbing gets us and the addicts nowhere. Again I ask...what is the plan to address the issue..now that we know what we know.
The landscape is littered with addicts of all sorts..booze,drugs,any escape route they can find...to avoid the harsh realities of life. Compassion and empathy only go so far and a small percentage find a way to survive and live. The rest?
Can you publish a link to view the entire presentation?
Let's form a committee..let's fact find..let's pretend we are actually doing something about this epidemic..let's feel good about all this in the midst of chaos.
A choice.. CHOICES.... and CONSEQUENCES... Oh lets make it NOT the druggies fault but call it a disease so parents feel better....
Sleeping with a hooker is a disease and being a pedophile will soon be a sickness or disease too.
Choices and consequences PERIOD
Its correcting itself...... Eliminate the Narcan and soon there wont be a problem....
The drug problem is a Self Correcting Problem!
The charts and grafts tell the tale...it's a business, statistics can be purchased like varieties of pizza, and looks like they've been doing well.
12.54
"Choices and consequences PERIOD"
No problemo so if someone is overweight and has a heart attack it is their problem as they chose to pack on the weight.
Guess the emergency room doctor can refuse treatment or save time let the ambulance crew decide.
Did not wear a seat-belt and got in a car wreck---no life flight for you.
Have a inherited problem well too bad.
At what point do you choose to stop medical care for seniors as the cost is too high.
Care to name a figure?
4:54 PM "Choices and consequences PERIOD"
How 'bout a moratorium on giving a shit about self abusers until traffic lightens up at rush hour and parking is not a problem at the courthouse.
"Guess the emergency room doctor can refuse treatment or save time let the ambulance crew decide"
If you got the money/insurance, they'll sew boobs on a man. Business is business.
We have drug addicts because drugs are a business, for, or against, not because of a lack of care, care is also a business.
It's just business as usual. - caveat emptor.
"We all know there is a problem...wringing our hands and sobbing gets us and the addicts nowhere. Again I ask...what is the plan to address the issue..now that we know what we know."
Again I answer, This post was intended to lay out the facts, not what efforts are being made to combat the problem. I do know that (1) officers have been armed with NARCAN, and this has saved several lives; (2) Bethlehem and Bangor both have programs where an addicted person can come to the station and seek help; (3) good samaritan laws have been enacted so that a person can call in an over dose without fear that he will be arrested; (4) a very active drug court has been created, and meets weekly; (5) a strong effort has been made to educate parents and children through programs at most schools; a new outreach center is opening in july in northampton, where the rate of addiction is high.
"How 'bout a moratorium on giving a shit about self abusers"
Nearly every family has at least one person who is addicted. The ugliness of your comment is a sad commentary on our decline as Americans into something far more base. It's the same malevolence that finds nothing wring with ripping children out of their mothers' arms.
Ugly Americans.
"Can you publish a link to view the entire presentation?"
I am unaware of any online production, and am relying on a hard copy.
There are no more adults. WE are becoming a country of spoiled brats hating anyone not like ourselves. No where is this decline more prevalent than in government. There are no people in government that act like adults anymore. They act like angry children.
The ugly comments I deride did not come from the government. Nice try.
This is what President Trump wants to fix. I applaud his efforts. MAGA!
Legalize marijuana. Marijuana is an effective pain reliever and it's associated with a decreased rate of opioid abuse.
6:48, Tell your President that if he wants to make America great, although it already is, he should tell his supporters to stop being so ugly.
Lock them up!!!!!
I am aware of a person who is sitting in county right now awaiting trial in August, who desperately needs the drug court but the charge at this time is NOT a drug charge but a driving suspension DUI related violation and another misdemeanor. How do I steer this person through their public defender towards the drug court??? I can't help anymore!
Oh, and Democrat supporters are NOT ugly? Have you been hiding under a rock the past few days?
10:08, Drug Court is post conviction. Also, county jails provide next to no drug treatment. That comes from state prison. He could plead to the driving offense and enroll in drug court.
When an addicted person ASKS for help it should be given...but you gotta ask. And until you ask, I will be seen as being an ugly uncaring person.
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