Heroin deaths surpass gun homicides for the first time, CDC data shows

Re:Heroin deaths surpass gun homicides for the first time, C... by tcj_phx on Sunday December 11, 2016 @02:28AM (#13150016)

> I would also be curious to know how many of the dead also had alcohol and/or benzodiazepines in their systems, which dramatically increase respiratory depression in combination which each other and heroin/other opioids.

I didn't know that about benzodiazepines & opiates - thanks! I posted in another comment about having to call the firedepartment when my friend overdosed on me...

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Re:Heroin deaths surpass gun homicides for the first time, C... by yoodenvranx on Sunday December 11, 2016 @05:22AM (#13150445)

Check out this chart:

http://wiki.tripsit.me/wiki/Drug_combinations

On the bottom of the page there are also detailed descriptions for each combination, in your case it says:

> Opioids & Benzodiazepines

> Central nervous system and/or respiratory-depressant effects may be additively or synergistically present. The two substances potentiate each other strongly and unpredictably, very rapidly leading to unconsciousness. While unconscious, vomit aspiration is a risk if not placed in the recovery position Blackouts/memory loss likely.

> http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC3454351/

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Re:Heroin deaths surpass gun homicides for the first time, C... by goatsi on Sunday December 11, 2016 @02:41AM (#13150055)

The danger of the combination should be much more widely publicized, as drugs like oxycodone and xanax are among the most widely prescribed in the US. There have been thousands of overdoses attributed to the combination but the FDA has only very recently required strong warning labels. http://www.fda.gov/NewsEvents/Newsroom/PressAnnouncements/uc...

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