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Overdose Deaths Up Sharply

Prescription drugs now kill more than cocaine and heroin

By Rob Quinn, Newser Staff

Posted Jan 26, 2008 8:05 AM CST

(Newser) – The death of Heath Ledger from a suspected drug overdose has highlighted a huge spike in drug overdoses in the US, reports the Los Angeles Times. Accidental poisoning deaths, 95% of which are overdoses, rose sharply from 12,186 in 1999 to 20,950 in... Read full story »

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Accidental OD Killed Ledger

Autopsy results cite combo of sleeping pills, painkillers, and anti-anxiety meds

(NEWSER) - Actor Heath Ledger died of an accidental overdose of sleeping pills, painkillers, and anti-anxiety medication, the New York City Medical Examiner's Office ruled today. OxyContin, Valium, Xanax, Restoril, Unisom, and ibuprofen combined to result in a lethal "acute intoxication," an ME spokeswoman told the AP. More»

Heath Hated Taking Sleeping Pills: Pal

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(NEWSER) - The sad irony of Heath Ledger’s overdose is that he hated taking the sleeping pills that killed him. “He was an extremely active person who didn't sleep much,” rapper and childhood friend N’FA tells the Sun . “Lots of people take sleeping things. I just remember he didn't like them.” N’FA (short for No Fixed Abode) premiered a Ledger-directed music video at a film festival last year, and is preparing to release the single. More»

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(NEWSER) - Tiger Woods was admitted to the hospital listed as an overdose after his SUV crash, according to sources at Florida's Health Central Hospital. Woods—whose wife handed paramedics bottles of Ambien and Vicodin—was having trouble breathing and doctors used a respiration tube to help him, the sources tell TMZ. More»

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(NEWSER) - Newly unsealed documents in the Anna Nicole Smith investigation reveal the Playmate had a lesbian tryst with her psychiatrist, Khristine Eroshevich—the same psychiatrist who ordered a drug cocktail so dangerous that one pharmacist who refused to fill the order called it “pharmaceutical suicide,” the Los Angeles Times reports. Smith’s internist—with whom she also had sexual contact—is also accused of providing her with drugs. More»

DJ AM Gobbled 9 OxyContin Before Death: Source

Law enforcement source says Valentine's card from Hayley Wood found on table

(NEWSER) - DJ AM was found dead with eight OxyContin pills in his stomach and another in his mouth, supporting the theory that he committed suicide, a law enforcement source tells People. He wanted to die," the source said. "He was going unconscious when he took the last one. He didn't even swallow it." Crack cocaine was found under the DJ's body, according to the source. More»

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Overdose Deaths Up Sharply

Prescription drugs now kill more than cocaine and heroin

cocaine • overdose • prescription drugs • Heath Ledger

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More Newser Stories

Accidental OD Killed Ledger

Autopsy results cite combo of sleeping pills, painkillers, and anti-anxiety meds

Heath Hated Taking Sleeping Pills: Pal

Rapper dishes as he prepares to debut single

TMZ: Woods Was Admitted to Hospital as OD

OD, breathing trouble noted on hospital charts after SUV crash

Anna Nicole Had Lesbian Affair With Drug-Happy Shrink

Pharmacists refused to fill drug cocktail order for Smith doc Khristine Eroshevich

DJ AM Gobbled 9 OxyContin Before Death: Source

Law enforcement source says Valentine's card from Hayley Wood found on table

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