Intentional mixing of drugs is a problem that is gaining momentum
Last reviewed: 23.04.2024
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In 2009, nearly 15,000 American women and men ended up in the emergency room, involuntarily, but deliberately, in drug intoxication, according to a new federal report.
According to the data, about 60% of these cases occurred after someone secretly slipped the drug into the victim's drink. Details are set out in the report of the Addiction and Psychiatric Services (SAMHSA), which became the first of its kind, as this problem has become widespread among the society.
For example, in 3/4 cases, people over 21 years old became victims of intentional poisoning. Despite the fact that mostly women are victims of such crimes, almost 4 out of 10 are men.
"This is not a disaster, but it's a serious situation," said Peter Delaney, director of the SAMHSA Center for Mental Health Statistics. "This means that to date, many people go to emergency departments, due to unconscious drug use, such as: psychostimulants, cocaine, Ecstasy.
"So if you are in a situation where people use alcohol and / or drugs, you should carefully monitor things and pay attention to suspicious people," he added.
According to representatives of SAMHSA, there are many motives for the deliberate "slipping" of narcotic substances.
As a result of drug poisoning, about 3 million American women were raped, although in reality this figure may be much higher. The problem is that not all potential victims understand when they are given drugs, since it is sometimes very difficult to know the intentions of the offender.
In addition, intentional drug poisoning can be not only for the purpose of sexual violence, but for robbery or murder.
The overall results of the study are as follows:
- Out of 4.6 million cases of drug poisoning, 14,720 were the result of deliberate poisoning. The overwhelming majority of sick patients (84%) were examined and released home without hospitalization.
- Approximately 60% of cases of drugs were not identified, in 37% - a combination of alcohol and unknown drugs was identified . Almost 20% of cases were unknown chemicals, and another 7% - a mixture of illegal drugs.
- In general, more than 2/3 of the total number of victims' appeals, a mixture of several drugs was found.
- Almost one-third of cases of poisoning are associated with the mixing of illicit drugs, including cocaine, ecstasy, and psychostimulants. And about a fifth of cases concerned the use of prescription drugs, such as painkillers, tranquilizers and antidepressants. The SAMHSA team noted that 63% of all victims were women.
Based on the findings of the report, the authors suggested that in order to solve the current situation, all efforts should be aimed at raising public awareness of the problem, especially in high-risk areas such as bars and clubs where alcohol and drugs are widespread.
"It's a matter of morality," Delaney said. "People do stupid things to people, we are not going to agitate for refusing to spend time in clubs and bars, but we can really help, addressing the community and young people, warning:" Be vigilant when you feel yourself in a dubious and dangerous situation , associated with the use of alcohol and / or drugs in companies. "
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