Cocaine, Psychostimulant Overdoses on the Rise

By Amy Orciari Herman

Edited by André Sofair, MD, MPH

Of some 70,000 drug overdose deaths that occurred in the U.S. in 2017, 20% involved cocaine and 15% involved psychostimulants with abuse potential (e.g., methamphetamine), according to an analysis of national overdose data.

Among the other findings, published in MMWR:

• Overdose deaths involving cocaine or psychostimulants each increased by roughly 35% from 2016 to 2017.

• Nearly three-fourths of cocaine-associated deaths and half of psychostimulant deaths in 2017 also involved opioids.

• Females aged 15–24 accounted for the largest relative rate increase in cocaine deaths, while those aged 25–44 accounted for the largest relative increase in psychostimulant deaths.

• Blacks had the highest rate of cocaine-involved deaths, while American Indians/Alaska Natives had the highest rate of psychostimulant deaths.

The researchers note that "increases in stimulant-involved deaths are part of a growing polysubstance landscape." They call for "increased efforts ... to identify and improve access to care for persons using stimulants," as well as better prevention strategies.