According to WIVB, The New York State Office of Addiction Services and Supports has issued a warning to everyone residing in Western New York, about a combination of deadly drugs. The combination of drugs is being referred to as "Gray Death". The "Gray Death" drug is a combination of opioids that, if taken, could cause death even after using small doses, according to OASAS (The New York State Office of Addiction Services and Supports).

OASAS references the National Institute on Drug Abuse, which stated this about the drug,

“It is not a single drug, but typically contains several extremely potent narcotics including heroin, fentanyl, and U-47700. It can be a toxic mix of other potent opioids, like carfentanil or other illegal drugs.”

The OASAS website has very extensive information regarding the signs of drug overdose and also what you should do if you suspect someone has overdosed as follows:

SIGNS OF AN OVERDOSE according to The New York State Office of Addiction Services and Supports:

1. Sleepiness

2. Poor Breathing

3. Pale Blue Skin

These are just a few of the warning signs. See them all here: Office of Addiction Services and Supports

What You Should Do If You Suspect An Opioid Overdose.

*First and foremost, Call 911

*You could also give them naloxone.

More on what to do can be found here: Office of Addiction Services and Supports

8 OF THE MOST DANGEROUS DRUGS

Nicotine (Tobacco)

According to Rehab Spot, nicotine is very dangerous and deadly because it,

“causes 90% of all lung cancer deaths."

Nicotine causes almost half a million deaths in the United States. Not only is it dangerous to users, it's also dangerous to people who inhale second-hand smoke.

Oxycodone

A lot of rappers glamorize oxycodone use, even though the drug is highly dangerous. According to Rehab Spot,

"OxyContin remains 1 of the most commonly abused prescription medications."

It is an opioid, which is prescribed by doctors to help patients manage pain. However, the same chemicals that make Oxy a good pain-killer, also make it highly addictive, according to the RecoveryVillage.com,

"Along with pain relief, oxycodone and other opioids also trigger a flood of dopamine into the brain, which is a feel-good neurotransmitter. When this happens, the person who has taken the oxycodone will likely feel a sense of euphoria and well-being. This is considered getting high from oxycodone, which then creates a reward response in the brain, which is how addiction occurs."

Alcohol

Just like tobacco, alcohol isn't only dangerous to users. Each year many Americans are killed or injured by drunk drivers. According to the CDC,

"Excessive alcohol use is responsible for more than 95,000 deaths in the United States each year, or 261 deaths per day. These deaths shorten the lives of those who die by an average of almost 29 years, for a total of 2.8 million years of potential life lost. It is a leading cause of preventable death in the United States, and cost the nation $249 billion in 2010."

Heroin is another drug that is highly addictive. Many people who are prescribed opiates for pain eventually start using heroin because it's cheaper and easier to get, since it doesn't require a doctor's prescription. According to the CDC,

"In 2018, nearly 15,000 people died from a drug overdose involving heroin in the United States, a rate of almost 5 deaths for every 100,000 Americans."

Heroin has quite a few street names, according to American Addiction Centers, including smack, China white, snow, and horse.

Cocaine

Cocaine, often referred to as 'powder,' is another highly addictive and sometimes fatal drug. If you grew up during the 80s, you know coke was the preferred drug of many professionals, while the rocked-up version, known as crack, was popular in lower-income areas. According to Rehab Spot,

"Cocaine abuse can cause cardiac arrest, convulsions, stroke, and death. Individuals who have used Cocaine have experienced feelings of paranoia, excitability, extreme weight loss, anxiety, and depression."

U.S. News refers to data from the Centers for Disease Control, which states,

"Cocaine-induced deaths rose by about 27% per year, on average, from 2013 through 2018."

Methadone

Methadone is commonly used to fight heroin addiction, but it can also be addictive and deadly. Rehab Spot says,

"According to the CDC, Methadone caused 4,545 deaths in 2011, decreasing to 3,700 in 2013, to 3,376 in 2015, and finally to 3,493 in 2016. Its ability to cause dependence, withdrawal, and addiction are causes for concern."

Fentanyl

Fentanyl a powerful drug for pain management, according to Rehab Spot, has

"50 to 100 times the potency of Morphine and 50 times the potency of Heroin."

The synthetic opioid is often mixed into heroin, without users knowing, causing deadly overdoses, according to the CDC,

"Most of the increases in fentanyl deaths over the last three years do not involve prescription fentanyl but are related to illicitly-made fentanyl that is being mixed with or sold as heroin—with or without the users’ knowledge."

Methamphetamine

Methamphetamine also known as meth, glass, ice, crystal, or Tina, is highly addictive. It is non-organic, meaning it is a completely synthesized drug. According to DrugAbuse.gov,

From 2015 to 2018, the number of deaths involving psychostimulants, mainly methamphetamine or cocaine, have risen significantly to a respective 12,676 and 14,666 deaths.

Source: Dj Hassan/Wblk.com

Date Posted: Tuesday, June 1st, 2021 , Total Page Views: 842