– Drug overdose now the leading cause of death for people under 50.
– 64,000 deaths from drug overdose in 2016.
– As of 2016 more than 289 million prescriptions were written for opioid drugs per year.
– Opioids are drugs formulated to replicate the pain reducing properties of opium. They include both legal painkillers like morphine, oxycodone, or hydrocodone prescribed by doctors for acute or chronic pain, as well as illegal drugs like heroin or illicitly made fentanyl.
– US consumes 80% of the world’s supply of opioid drugs
– Opioid epidemic costs the nation about $500 billion a year in costs for medical care, law enforcement, and lost productivity. Equivalent to 2.8% of GDP.
– President Trump has pledged to donate his third-quarter salary to fight the opioid crisis.
– “America is awash in opioids; urgent action is critical.” – CDC director Thomas Frieden
Links:
Opioid epidemic – Wikipedia
America’s opioid epidemic – CNN
Articles:
Drug Deaths in America Are Rising Faster Than Ever
Opioid Crisis Fast Facts
America’s Opioid Crisis: A Nation Hooked
Inside a Killer Drug Epidemic: A Look at America’s Opioid Crisis
Trump is donating his salary to fight the opioid crisis. Here’s what it could buy
The truth about the US ‘opioid crisis’ – prescriptions aren’t the problem
Why is Opiate Addiction So Hard to Treat?
Papers:
President’s Commission on Combating Drug Addiction and the Opioid Crisis
Recovery:
Facing Addiction
Addictions and Recovery
American Addiction Centers
5 Tips for Family and Friends of Opiate Addicts