Center on Aging, University of Hawai'i at Mānoa, Honolulu, HI (GKS).
Adult Mental Health Division, Hawai'i Department of Health, Honolulu, HI (TMF).
Hawaii J Health Soc Welf. 2024 Aug;83(8):225-229. doi: 10.62547/WWZL3153.
Unintentional and undetermined intent drug overdose fatality records from the State Unintentional Drug Overdose Reporting System (SUDORS) for Hawai'i from July 1, 2020, to December 31, 2021 revealed that 58.2% of decedents were aged 50-75. The main substance associated with cause of death for those aged 50-75 years was methamphetamine, followed by a combination of mixed drugs. Of those aged 50 and older, 25.5% died from cardiovascular or neurological complications which were likely to be associated with chronic, long-term methamphetamine use. Based on death investigator narrative reports, 76.5% of the older decedents had a history of substance abuse, suggesting possible long-term substance use starting at a young age. The trajectory of substance use over the life course is often influenced by life events and transitions, which can be stressors. Hawai'i (older adults) should be screened for substance use and dependence to ensure that there is treatment if needed, for the entirety of this use trajectory.Also, barriers to seeking treatment, such as stigma towards drug use should be addressed.
从 2020 年 7 月 1 日至 2021 年 12 月 31 日，夏威夷州非故意药物过量报告系统（SUDORS）的非故意和未确定意图药物过量死亡记录显示，58.2%的死者年龄在 50-75 岁之间。与 50-75 岁人群死亡原因相关的主要物质是冰毒，其次是混合药物。在 50 岁及以上的人群中，25.5%死于心血管或神经系统并发症，这些并发症可能与长期、慢性使用冰毒有关。根据死因调查员的叙述报告，76.5%的老年死者有药物滥用史，这表明他们可能从年轻时就开始长期滥用药物。一生中药物使用的轨迹通常受到生活事件和过渡的影响，这些事件可能是压力源。夏威夷（老年人）应该接受药物使用和依赖的筛查，以确保在整个使用轨迹中，如果需要，都能得到治疗。此外，还应解决寻求治疗的障碍，如对药物使用的污名化。
