General Discussion
In reply to the discussion: 46,000 Killed by Heroin Overdose is a LIE [View all]Eleanors38
(18,318 posts)...In the past, Emergency Room research would detect Heroin (or other drugs) in a person's system, and link that substance to a person's O.D. Of course, large quantities of alcohol were ignored in favor of the nemesis drug-of-the-day. Result? This (plug in your favorite drug) caused this OD or death. This "research" was done frequently for a more than willing and unquestioning MSM.
It is my understanding that edema is a great cause of death for Heroin addicts, and that acute condition is caused by Heroin AND the ingestion of large quantities of alcohol. See also: "Crack Baby Syndrome."
This not to say there is not a problem with over-prescription of legal opioids. But we should be aware of old and faulty approaches to "research" when defining and dealing with societal problems.