The Opioid Epidemic in the United States
In 2015, the number of Americans killed by guns was exceeded by those killed by heroin overdose. [5] According to the Drug Enforcement Administration, overdose deaths from drugs including pain killers and heroin have now become the “leading cause of injury death in the United States.” [4]
“Pill Mills” and Cartels
This phenomenon can be attributed, in part, to prescriptions made in haste by reckless physicians. Clinic after clinic has been observed and often prosecuted for excessively prescribing painkillers to patients. Though law enforcement efforts have succeeded in lessening their presence, “pill mills” still exist across the country. Established for the purpose of distributing painkillers for illicit use, these pill mills have been a highly significant contributor to the ongoing epidemic. [4]
While physicians at more reputable clinics often cut patients off when they suspect painkiller abuse, this approach can often result in undesired consequences. Drug abusers, and even legitimately sick people, find themselves forced to cope with withdrawal symptoms. Withdrawal from opiates can be intensely painful without a controlled drawdown, leading these people to immediately seek relief. They can find relief in the alternative to prescription painkillers – heroin. [9]
Made plentiful by drug traffickers, cartels and other criminal organizations, heroin use has steadily increased since 2007. [4] As it is far cheaper than painkillers and no prescriptions are required, heroin is fast becoming the drug of choice for those who would previously only use pills. [9] A synthetic opiate known as fentanyl, which is even more powerful than heroin, has also been observed making waves in the nation. Drug overdose deaths resulting from this toxic substance have skyrocketed since 2014. [8]
The breadth of the issue can be observed most clearly with one startling statistic. Drug overdoses have increased to the point that they are a significant factor in the recent reversal of the longstanding upward trend in American life expectancy. This has not occurred in more than two decades. [2] Furthermore, emergency care units have seen sharp rises in cases regarding overdose victims. [3] With such sharp increases, medical facilities are being strained, and calls have been made for action to be taken to reverse the trend. The economic costs alone are staggering: Health and social costs are estimated to be $55 billion with an additional $20 billion in medical care. [6]
Government Response
In response to the ongoing opioid epidemic, the federal government plans to contribute increased funds to the CDC and other health agencies. The hope is that these agencies can help reverse the disturbing trend of abuse and overdoses by implementing stricter regulation of prescription drugs. [6] Federal policies also aim to ramp up law enforcement efforts, both on the federal and local levels, to fight drug trafficking organizations. [1]
References
- https://www.washingtonpost.com/news/wonk/wp/2017/07/31/white-house-opioid-commission-to-trump-declare-a-national-emergency-on-drug-overdoses/?utm_term=.b2dfbd3c46b5
- https://www.cbsnews.com/news/drug-overdose-deaths-heroin-opioid-prescription-painkillers-more-than-guns/
- http://www.medscape.com/viewarticle/885013
- https://www.dea.gov/docs/2015%20NDTA%20Report.pdf
- https://www.nytimes.com/2017/01/06/us/opioid-crisis-epidemic.html
- https://www.hhs.gov/sites/default/files/Factsheet-opioids-061516.pdf
- http://hightimes.com/news/jeff-sessions-drug-overdoses-are-top-lethal-issue-in-the-u-s/
- http://www.cincinnati.com/story/news/2017/08/30/ohio-drug-overdose-deaths-more-than-double-thanks-fentanyl/618778001/
- http://www.cnn.com/2014/08/29/health/gupta-unintended-consequences/index.html