PORTLAND, Ore. (AP) — The Oregon medical examiner’s office reports methamphetamine-related deaths rose 22 percent last year to claim 106 lives.
People rarely die of a methamphetamine overdose, but Medical Examiner Dr. Karen Gunson says people who die traumatic deaths — such as fatal car crashes — are counted as drug deaths when meth is detected in their body.
The Oregonian reports heroin was the second-leading cause of drug deaths with 90.
Overall, drug deaths were down 6 percent to 200, compared with the year before.
The statistics do not include deaths from prescription drugs.
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Information from: The Oregonian, http://www.oregonlive.com
