With national attention increasingly focused on opioid abuse in America, we continue to learn more about the true magnitude of the crisis. The U.S. Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) has been a key source of data on overdose death statistics and trends, reflecting the agency’s role in monitoring and managing the opioid crisis at both the national and state levels. Opioid misuse has now reached the level of a Public Health Emergency, with millions of Americans battling an addiction to prescription painkillers and seeking help from pharmaceutical negligence lawyers.
Overview of the Opioid Crisis
The opioid crisis is a complex and multifaceted issue that has been affecting the United States for decades. It is characterized by a significant increase in drug overdose deaths, particularly those involving prescription opioids, heroin, and synthetic opioids. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), the opioid crisis has resulted in over 500,000 drug overdose deaths since 1999. The crisis has also had a devastating impact on families, communities, and the economy, with estimated costs exceeding $1 trillion.
History and Background of the Opioid Crisis
The opioid crisis has its roots in the mid-1990s when pharmaceutical companies began aggressively marketing opioid painkillers to doctors and patients. This led to a significant increase in the prescribing of opioids, which in turn contributed to widespread misuse and addiction. The crisis escalated in the 2000s with the rise of heroin and synthetic opioids, such as fentanyl. The CDC declared the opioid crisis an epidemic in 2011, and since then, the number of overdose deaths has continued to rise.
Physical Numbers and Overdose Data
According to recent data, approximately 90 people in the United States die every single day from drug overdoses, particularly opioid overdoses, and more than 2 million people are currently struggling with prescription opioid abuse. The alarming increase in heroin overdose deaths has significantly contributed to the overall opioid crisis. Abuse of prescription opioids also leads to use of illegal opioids, as people begin to experience difficulty obtaining prescription refills and fight against the crippling feelings of withdrawal. State trends in opioid overdose death rates have shown significant increases, particularly in states like West Virginia, California, and Ohio. An estimated 6 percent of people who abuse their prescription opioids go on to use heroin, and a startling 80 percent of heroin users report taking prescription opioids first.
Financial Numbers in the Opioid Crisis
In addition to the physical and emotional damage, opioid abuse has also had a tremendous financial impact on our country. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) has been at the forefront of addressing the overdose epidemic through data collection and support for communities. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention now estimates the annual economic burden of opioid abuse in the United States has reached $75 billion and continues to climb. Included in this estimate are costs of medical treatment, creation and maintenance of addiction programs, lost job productivity, and criminal justice intervention.
Prescription Opioids and the Opioid Crisis
Prescription opioids have played a significant role in the opioid crisis. Pharmaceutical companies have been accused of downplaying the risks of addiction and aggressively marketing opioids to doctors and patients. This has led to widespread overprescribing and misuse of opioids, contributing to the crisis. According to the CDC, prescription opioids were involved in over 200,000 overdose deaths between 1999 and 2017.
State Trends and Variations
The opioid crisis has affected states differently, with some experiencing higher rates of overdose deaths than others. According to the CDC, the states with the highest overdose death rates in 2020 were West Virginia, Ohio, Pennsylvania, Kentucky, and New Hampshire. The crisis has also had a disproportionate impact on rural areas, where access to healthcare and treatment services may be limited.
The Reason Behind the Numbers
We believe the opioid crisis is at least in part rooted in the drug manufacturers’ spread of misinformation about the safety and effectiveness of prescription opioids, as well as concealment of the extreme addictiveness of these painkillers. The widespread misuse of semi-synthetic opioids, which were heavily marketed by pharmaceutical companies, played a significant role in the early stages of the crisis. Manufacturer conduct combined with inappropriate prescribing practices led to an absolute explosion of both legal and illegal opioid painkiller sales and use.
Pharmaceutical Negligence and the Opioid Crisis
Pharmaceutical companies have been accused of negligence and wrongdoing in their role in the opioid crisis. Many companies have been sued by states and local governments for their alleged role in fueling the crisis through aggressive marketing and failure to warn about the risks of addiction. In 2019, Purdue Pharma, the manufacturer of OxyContin, agreed to pay $270 million to settle a lawsuit with the state of Oklahoma.
Prevention and Treatment Efforts
Prevention and treatment efforts are critical to addressing the opioid crisis. The CDC recommends a comprehensive approach that includes improving prescribing practices, increasing access to treatment, and expanding the use of naloxone, a medication that can reverse opioid overdoses. The Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA) provides funding and resources to support treatment and recovery services. Additionally, many states have implemented policies and programs aimed at reducing overdose deaths and improving access to treatment.
Giving the Numbers a Voice: Disease Control and Prevention
As families cope with addiction, loss of loved ones, and life-altering injuries, they are looking for answers and for justice. The opioid crisis has seen various waves of overdose deaths involving different substances, from prescription opioids to heroin and synthetic opioids like fentanyl. Goza & Honnold’s experienced product liability attorneys are currently investigating prescription opioid painkiller cases, and our firm offers confidential case consultations at no cost to you.
If you or a loved one has suffered addiction, injuries, or death from prescription opioids, contact our office today at (913) 451-3433.
Goza & Honnold, a trusted personal injury law firm serving Missouri and Kansas, is known for our dedication to client advocacy and trial excellence. With a strong focus on auto accidents, medical negligence, and product liability cases, our experienced attorneys work diligently to secure fair outcomes while being fully prepared to take cases to trial when necessary. We work closely with our clients to build strong cases that reflect their unique experiences.