Four more people have died of suspected drug overdoses in Rhode Island in the last week, bringing the total this year to 49, according to the state health director last Wednesday. The number of people who have died of accidental overdoses in the first eight weeks of 2014 is about 2 X the normal rate. Overdose deaths have been associated with fentanyl mixed with heroin. In Rhode Island in 2009-2010 most deaths from accidental drug overdose were Men between the ages of 40-49. In 2011 Men between ages of 50-59. In Rhode Island in 2009-2012 deaths from accidental overdose was more common among Women  between the ages of 50-59. According to data most have been associated with opioids alone and not alcoholic. Fatal overdoses from prescription painkillers have reached epidemic proportions, according to a new report from the CDC. In 2008, the report showed, drugs like OxyContin and Vicodin claimed almost 5,000 lives. That’s almost three times as many lives as in 1999, the Associated Press reported. Fatal overdoses are especially common among middle-aged men, whites, and American Indians, according to reports

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