Accidental poisonings surpass car crashes as the number one cause of unintentional deaths in the state. The opioid crisis is the big contributing factor as opioid-related deaths seen a steady incline over the last ten years. LSU Health New Orleans Medical Toxicologist Dr. James Diaz says the stats are alarming.
“These are far exceeding, they’re are double, there is a 100% increase over motor vehicle accident deaths,” said Diaz.
Two out of three overdose deaths in the state are linked to opioids. Diaz says the problem is more prevalent throughout southeastern states.
“We’re lumped in with a few other midsouth states and we have a major major problem in Louisiana,” said Diaz.
While the opioid prescription rate has gone down in recent years, Diaz says the state is on the biggest distribution pathway in the south of imported drugs.
“We’re on I-10, the closest interstate to Mexico. These drugs come in from China to Mexico to the US and they come right across I-10,” said Diaz.
