Innovative Research and the Opioid Epidemic
Deaths from drug overdoses are at an all-time high in the United States, with opiate abuse – both prescription and illicit – the main cause of these fatalities. Opioids were responsible for more than 42,000 deaths in 2016, representing over a quadrupling of opioid-related fatalities since 1999. Federally-funded research and public health programs are vital to the development of preventative strategies and accessible and effective treatments for opioid abuse disorder.
Sources:
About the U.S. Opioid Epidemic, The Department of Health and Human Services
Opioid Data Analysis, The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention
Effective Treatments for Opioid Addiction, The National Institute on Drug Abuse
Medications to Treat Opioid Addiction, The National Institute on Drug Abuse
The Opioid Epidemic: By the Numbers, The Department of Health and Human Services
The True, Deadly Scope of America’s Fentanyl Problem, The National Institute on Drug Abuse
The Underestimated Cost of the Opioid Crisis, The Council of Economic Advisers
Additional Resources:
Opioid Addiction Fact Sheet, Research!America
Pain Fact Sheet, Research!America
Nearly Two-Thirds Support Increased Funding for Research to Combat Opioid Addiction
Plurality Say Pain Medication Addiction Is a Problem in Their Community
Source: A Research!America survey of U.S. adults conducted in partnership with Zogby Analytics, January 2018.