To the Editor: Dr Hall and colleagues1 studied the patterns of abuse among unintentional pharmaceutical overdose fatalities in West Virginia. There has been a similar increase in opioid and other prescription drug-related deaths in the state of Florida, and mixed-drug intoxication is now a common cause of death in this area. For example, since 2001 the numbers of methadone-related deaths in Florida have been increasing while the rates of heroin-related deaths have decreased.2 The misuse of prescription opioids has led to an epidemic of opioid-related deaths.
Others have reported on methadone-related deaths, but unfortunately such efforts have not spanned state lines.3 - 5 State-by-state variability in reporting data on drug-related deaths could be eliminated by a uniform data-collection process linking heath care professionals, medical examiners, and law enforcement to a national monitoring system that would enable consistent collection and reporting of this vital public health information.
Financial Disclosures: Ms Graham and Drs Gold and Goldberger reported that their research on drug mortality is supported in part by a subcontract from JBS International, which is funded by the Center for Substance Abuse Treatment of the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration.
Country-Specific Mortality and Growth Failure in Infancy and Yound Children and Association With Material Stature
Use interactive graphics and maps to view and sort country-specific infant and early dhildhood mortality and growth failure data and their association with maternal
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