Quick Answer. The liver is an organ of the digestive system. The role of the digestive system is to transform food into necessary energy and to rid the body of solid waste. The liver functions within this system by producing bile and by filtering the blood from the digestive system.
The Times analysis of 2009 death statistics, the most recent available, showed: 1  For the first time ever in the US, more people were killed by drugs than motor vehicle accidents. 2  37,485 people died from drugs, a rate fueled by overdoses on prescription pain and anxiety medications, versus 36,284 from traffic accidents.
Trends in Drug Use. About 22.6 million Americans or 8.9% of the population are current users. of illicit drugs, meaning they use at least once per month: â¢ 13.3 million employed Americans. â¢ 4.2 million dependent on illicit drugs. â¢ 15 million dependent on alcohol. Total economic cost = $193 billion.