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The opioid crisis in the US

August 6, 2019

The National Institute of Drug Abuse provided an update this year on the growing opioid epidemic in the US. Here’s what the NIH knows:

  • Roughly 21 to 29 percent of patients prescribed opioids for chronic pain misuse them.6
  • Between 8 and 12 percent develop an opioid use disorder.6
  • An estimated 4 to 6 percent who misuse prescription opioids transition to heroin.79
  • About 80 percent of people who use heroin first misused prescription opioids.7
  • Opioid overdoses increased 30 percent from July 2016 through September 2017 in 52 areas in 45 states.10
  • The Midwestern region saw opioid overdoses increase 70 percent from July 2016 through September 2017.10
  • Opioid overdoses in large cities increase by 54 percent in 16 states.10

The statistics prove that opioid misuse has risen to a national health crisis. HHS and the NIH have outlined what both agencies are doing to combat the opioid crisis. To learn more, click here.

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