The 50–59 age group currently records the highest proportion of unintentional drug overdose deaths at 25.5%.
Physiological changes during aging, such as reduced liver and kidney efficiency, make older adults more sensitive to substances.
Prescription medications, including opioids and benzodiazepines, are frequently involved in fatal overdoses when combined or misused.
Effective prevention strategies require improved clinical screening, cautious prescribing practices, and a reduction in the stigma surrounding substance use.