Use of opioids such as OxyContin and codeine is a leading cause of death in young adults, say researchers in Ontario who reviewed coroner reports from a period of nearly 20 years.
Rates of opioid-related deaths are increasing rapidly in the province and are concentrated among the young — a substantial burden of disease, the researchers say in Monday’s issue of the journal Addiction.
"We found that among those individuals aged between 25 and 34 years, that approximately one out of every eight deaths were related to opioid overdoses," said study author Tara Gomes, a scientist at the Li Ka Shing Knowledge Institute at Toronto’s St. Michael’s Hospital.
"We hadn't quite anticipated that there were would be such a large prevalence of opioid-related deaths in these younger populations and that it would be really one of the leading causes of death in these younger adults."
The findings underline the urgent need to change perceptions on the safety of the medications, the researchers concluded.
more
OxyContin and other opioids tied to 1 in 8 deaths in young adults, Ontario study shows - Health - CBC News
Rates of opioid-related deaths are increasing rapidly in the province and are concentrated among the young — a substantial burden of disease, the researchers say in Monday’s issue of the journal Addiction.
"We found that among those individuals aged between 25 and 34 years, that approximately one out of every eight deaths were related to opioid overdoses," said study author Tara Gomes, a scientist at the Li Ka Shing Knowledge Institute at Toronto’s St. Michael’s Hospital.
"We hadn't quite anticipated that there were would be such a large prevalence of opioid-related deaths in these younger populations and that it would be really one of the leading causes of death in these younger adults."
The findings underline the urgent need to change perceptions on the safety of the medications, the researchers concluded.
more
OxyContin and other opioids tied to 1 in 8 deaths in young adults, Ontario study shows - Health - CBC News
