Cannabis, out of all recreational drugs has the least impact on mortality rates within the U.S. On the other hand, alcohol increasingly leads to more deaths in the U.S. than other other substance. In this article we'll look into why there's stigma around cannabis while legal drugs like alcohol and prescription 'medicine' continue to lead to more deaths - the numbers tell a compelling story of preventable deaths and the urgent need for public health interventions.  

1. Alcohol-Related Deaths: A Sobering Reality

   • According to the National Institute on Alcohol Abuse and Alcoholism (NIAAA), alcohol-related deaths accounted for an estimated 95,000 deaths per year in the United States.
   • Alcohol is a major contributor to liver disease, accidents, and various health conditions, making it a leading cause of preventable death.

2. Cannabis: Low Risk, Rare Consequences

   • There is no specific data on the number of deaths directly caused by cannabis overdose in the United States. Cannabis is generally considered to have a low risk of causing fatal overdoses. Deaths directly attributed to cannabis are extremely rare.

3. Cocaine: Unmasking the Overdose Toll

   • According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), there were over 14,000 cocaine-related overdose deaths in the United States in 2019.
   • Cocaine overdoses often involve polydrug use, where individuals use multiple substances simultaneously.

4. Heroin: A Harrowing Epidemic

   • The CDC reported over 16,000 heroin-related overdose deaths in the United States in 2019.
   • Heroin is a powerful opioid associated with a high risk of overdose, and the opioid epidemic has been a significant public health concern.

5. Prescription Opioids: Beyond Heroin

   • Opioid-related deaths, including those involving prescription opioids like oxycodone and hydrocodone, have been a major focus of public health efforts.
   • In 2019, there were over 49,000 opioid-related overdose deaths in the United States, according to the CDC.

6. Synthetic Opioids: The Deadly Presence of Fentanyl

   • Synthetic opioids, including fentanyl, have contributed significantly to the opioid epidemic. In 2019, there were over 36,000 deaths involving synthetic opioids, according to the CDC.

As the nation grapples with the persistent challenges of substance misuse, these statistics underscore the critical need for comprehensive public health initiatives. From alcohol-related health conditions to the opioid epidemic, the data call for a collective effort to address addiction, improve access to treatment, and implement effective prevention strategies.

It is essential to acknowledge that substance-related deaths often result from complex interactions involving multiple substances. This report serves as a call to action, urging policymakers, healthcare professionals, and communities to work collaboratively in mitigating the impact of substance misuse on public health. The road ahead demands a holistic approach, focusing on education, treatment accessibility, and the dismantling of stigmas surrounding substance use disorders.