You are statistically more likely to die from an accidental opioid overdose than a car accident in the US. This is the first time on record in which the odds of death from an accidental opioid overdose is greater than a car accident, according to the National Safety Council. CNN reported that, "...[T]he lifetime odds of death for this form of overdose were greater than the risk of death from falls, pedestrian incidents, drowning and fire."

The National Safety Council breaks down odds of death by lifetime, minute by minute, natural disaster, and death by month. Overall, the cause of death with the highest lifetime odds is heart disease with 1 in 6, with cancer at 1 in 7.

The lifetime odds of death for an opioid overdose in the U.S. has climbed to 1 in 96. The odds for a motor vehicle accident stands at 1 in 103.

Maureen Vogel of the National Safety Council told CNN, "Too many people still believe the opioid crisis is abstract and will not impact them. Many still do not see it as a major threat to them or their family. These data show the gravity of the crisis. We have known for some time that opioid overdose is an everyday killer, and these odds illustrate that in a very jarring way."

The CNN article also stated, "Last month the CDC reported life expectancy in the United States declined from 2016 to 2017 due to increased drug overdoses and suicides."

According to the National Safety Council, everyday more than 100 people die from opioid drugs.

Sources: NSC, CNN

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