Health: Pa. Leads Nation In Overdose Deaths Among Young Men, According To New Analysis

By Stephanie Stahl

PHILADELPHIA (CBS) -- Pennsylvania leads the nation and New Jersey is close behind in drug overdose deaths among young adult men, according to a new analysis.

Bucks and Gloucester counties lead their respective states in overdose fatality rates among young men. Each of them nearly three times Philadelphia's rate.

Experts say the typical scenario of addiction begins when an athlete is injured and is prescribed pain medications.

Michael Battle still has the track marks on his arms, after being a heroin addict for 20 years.

"It makes everything alright," Michael said. "You get this overwhelming comfort feeling when you think you're the smartest and brightest person in the world."

Michael, who was a high school football star, has been off drugs for almost 25 years. He is now a counselor.

"I thank God that I got the help when I got it because I'd be dead now," said Michael.

Pennsylvania now leads the country with the highest number of overdose deaths among men between the ages of 19 to 25. New Jersey is the fourth.

"We have the highest potency of heroin actually as anybody in the world," said Ken Dickinson with Gaudenzia, a drug rehab program in Philadelphia.

Ken says that heroin addictions often start with prescription pain medications like OxyContin. It is especially prevalent in suburban counties.

Drugs are now killing a growing number of people who are young, rich, and white.

People often turn to heroin because the legal drugs can be difficult to get and they're expensive.

"So one Oxy tablet would be $40," said Ken. "They can buy heroin cheaper than a pack of cigarettes."

The drug abuse epidemic has killed more than twice as many Americans as homicide over the last decade.

For more information, and where to find help, go to www.gaudenzia.org.