Drug Related Suicide Tries Spike

    (AP File Photo)
    (AP File Photo)

    An alarming increase involving suicide attempts and emergency room visits.

    FOX News Radio’s Pam Pusso has the story.

    Trips to the emergency room because of drug related suicide attempts spiked by 51 percent from 2005 to 2011, and visits involving people ages 45 to 64 more than doubled.

     (Delaney) “48 percent had used anti anxiety or insomnia medications and about 40 percent had used alcohol.”

    Pete Delaney, with the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration says ER visits also rose significantly for people between the ages of 18 and 29.

    Among the reasons….

    (Delaney) “We’ve seen a greater accessibility to prescription drugs and over the counter meds.”

    And Delaney says a lot of the medication is coming from friends and family.

    Pam Pusso, FOX News Radio