Opioids
About
In recent years, opioids have become an epidemic in the United States. Opioids are medications that relieve pain and can include prescription drugs such as hydrocodone (e.g., Vicodin), oxycodone (e.g., OxyContin, Percocet), morphine (e.g., Kadian, Avinza), codeine, fentanyl, and related drugs. Heroin is also a type of (illegal) opioid. Though all prescribed opioids are intended to manage pain, synthetic opioids (fentanyl and others) are 50 - 100 times more potent than morphine and generally prescribed to treat the most extreme pain, like advanced cancer pain. Illegally produced and distributed synthetic opioids are on the rise.
Facts
In 2017, drug overdose deaths were the leading cause of injury death in the U.S and the leading cause of death for those under 50. source 2018 saw a 4.6% decline in overdose deaths, 2/3 of which were caused by synthetic opioids. source
More than 232,000 men and women died from a prescription opioid overdose between 1999 and 2018. source
23% of teens report using a prescription drug that was NOT prescribed to them, at least once in their lives. Even though prescription drugs are safe when prescribed by a doctor, they may not be safe at all for someone else. Individual medical histories, interactions with other drugs and supplements, and improper dosages can cause severe reactions. source
In the 2018 National Survey on Drug Use and Health (NSDUH), 51.3% of people who misused prescription painkillers got them from a friend or relative (mostly free, some were purchased and some were stolen), and 37.6% got through medical professionals, largely prescribed and some stolen. source
Nearly 50% of young people who inject heroin start by abusing prescription drugs and 4 out of 5 heroin users overall began using prescription drugs recreationally. Additionally, 2/3 of teens who abuse prescription pain relievers say that they got them from family or friends. source
New York State opioid overdose deaths in 2017 numbered 3,224 - a 200% increase as compared to 2010. source
Hotlines
Service Providers
Articles
Organizations
Books
Other Resources
