The opioid epidemic has raged in the U.S. for over a decade, with drug overdose claiming the lives of more than 750,000 Americans since 1999. Opioid abuse, both prescription and illicit, has caused significant economic hardship and requires continued, dedicated research to improve treatment options and create prevention strategies for opioid use disorder (OUD). The ongoing COVID-19 pandemic has exacerbated the drug overdose epidemic-- more than 19,000 people died of a drug overdose in the first three months of 2020, a 16% increase when compared with the same time period in 2019. “There is no panacea, no magic wand approach to address the opioid and overdose epidemic... Unless and until policymakers and all the stakeholders focus on meaningful enforcement and implementation of laws and policies that support evidence-based care, we will not make progress.”-Dr. Patrice Harris, President of the American Medical Association.

Sources:

Opioid Data Analysis and Resources, Centers for Disease Control

2020 National Drug Control Strategy, Report from the Office of National Drug Control Policy

The Helping to End Addiction Long-term Initiative (HEAL), NIH

Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration, The Department of Health and Human Services

Opioid Crisis, Health Resources and Services Administration

Additional Resources:

Opioid Addiction Fact Sheet, Research!America

Pain Fact Sheet, Research!America