The federal government and states keep detailed statistics of deaths relating to motor vehicle accidents. As a result, safety devices and a continued review of laws with the specific goal to reduce injuries and lives are continually implemented.
Recent statistics from the Center of Disease Control (CDC) indicate drug poisonings are the second leading cause of death in our country. http://www.cdc.gov/mmwr/preview/mmwrhtml/mm5605a1.htm A more recent report indicates that the leading cause of injury resulting in death in people between the ages of 35 and 54 is drug poisonings. http://www.cdc.gov/nchs/data/databriefs/db22.htm
It is the contention of the radio show that the injuries and deaths from drugs is vastly underreported. Florida continues to have the most detailed statistics available concerning drug deaths and in 2008 just oxycodone and methadone was attributed to over 2000 deaths. The benzodiazepine related drugs added another 3200 drug related deaths to Florida's toll. http://www.fdle.state.fl.us/Content/getdoc/a37959db-85e0-42f9-b6d6-cdef532f22f8/2008DrugReport.aspx Compare those combined numbers with the over 2900 reported motor vehicle deaths in our state in 2008. http://www.floridaperforms.com/Indicators.aspx?si=SI_004
On Sunday night I brought up the recent drug related deaths in Hollywood. Heath Ledger, Anna Nicole Smith, Michael Jackson, DJ AM and Billy Mayes quickly came to mind. I then asked the question if any Hollywood celebrities have recently lost their life in a motor vehicle accident?
It is my contention that the drug related deaths have reached epidemic proportions surpassing motor vehicle deaths and the question must be asked why our elected and public officials in government remain silent. Why do the government statistics continue to keep motor vehicle deaths number one?
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