Smoking drugs now linked to more overdose deaths than injecting drugs, report finds

• By 2022, smoking drugs emerged as the predominant method of drug consumption leading to overdose deaths in the US, surpassing injection. This shift underscores a notable change in drug use patterns and highlights the evolving landscape of substance abuse-related fatalities.
• Notably, the incidence of overdose deaths associated with smoking drugs surged by 74% between the studied periods, reflecting a significant escalation in fatalities attributed to this mode of drug consumption. Conversely, there was a concurrent decline in overdose deaths linked to injection, suggesting a notable trend divergence.
• Synthetic opioids, particularly fentanyl, emerged as the primary culprits in overdose deaths, underscoring the pervasive impact of these potent substances on public health. The prevalence of synthetic opioids underscores the severity of the overdose crisis and the urgent need for targeted interventions to address this specific class of drugs.
• The observed transition from injection to smoking may be influenced by perceptions of reduced risk associated with the latter method. However, this shift does not mitigate the inherent dangers of substance abuse, particularly given the lethal potency of synthetic opioids like fentanyl, which can induce fatal overdoses even in small quantities.
• Addressing the overdose crisis necessitates comprehensive harm reduction strategies, including the widespread distribution of naloxone and fentanyl test strips. These measures are critical in mitigating the risks associated with drug use, enhancing overdose awareness, and ultimately saving lives in the face of escalating opioid-related fatalities.