Opioid Epidemic Problem Definition

Opioid Crisis

Prescription and illegal opioids are main factors of overdoses and drug misuse in the

United States. Opioids are a diverse class of painkillers, some common opioids include

oxycodone, hydrocodone, and fentanyl. All of these now tend to be common in households. Most

opioids misused by patients originate from prescription medication. Most patients who overdose

on prescription opioids are taking their medications differently than prescribed or are using

opioids prescribed to someone else. Some individuals who misuse opioids are seeking a “high”

effect, but others have developed dependence through chronic opioid use and are simply trying to

avoid withdrawals from the drug. Opioid-related harm has now reached epidemic levels in the

United States, “from 1999 to 2017, more than 700,000 people have died from a drug overdose.

Around 68% of the more than 70,200 drug overdose deaths in 2017 involved an opioid. In 2017,

the number of overdose deaths involving opioids (including prescription opioids and illegal

opioids like heroin and illicitly manufactured fentanyl) was 6 times higher than in 1999. On

average, 130 Americans die every day from an opioid overdose.” The cause of the Opioid

Epidemic can be traced back to inappropriate prescribing patterns, based on a lack of knowledge,

false sense of safety, and undertreatment of pain. Drug dealers are no longer the primary source

of the illicit drug. The Opioid Epidemic is the continued increase of deaths and hospitalizations

from opioids. This epidemic not only affects those abusing the drugs but also their families

economically and emotionally.

Works Cited

Centers for Disease Control and Prevention . Understanding the epidemic.

https://www.cdc.gov/drugoverdose/epidemic/index.html. Accessed February 6, 2019.