Opioids are drugs that bind to the nervous receptors in the body to relieve pain. Drugs in this class include Heroin, the synthetic opioid Fentanyl, and pain relievers such as oxycodone, hydrocodone, codeine, morphine, and others. These drugs being chemically related interact with the nerve receptor cells in the body and brain. Over the past years there has been a major uprising of misuse of opioids either by taking more than prescribed or without a doctor’s prescription. In this I will be talking about the history of opioids and an explanation on the crisis, where these drugs are most prominent, and what is being done to fix this and solutions to this crisis.
Opium’s addictive and deadly capabilities has been known for many years. In the 1900’s morphine caused many problems in society and because of that for more than fifty years doctors in America hardly ever prescribed opiate-based drugs. It was until the 1970’s and 1980’s doctors began changing their mind because they got tired of watching their patients suffer in pain. It was in the late 1990’s that pharmaceutical companies restored confidence in the medical field that patients would not become addicted to prescription opioid pain relievers, it was then shortly after they were being prescribed at greater frequencies. It then became clear these drugs were highly addictive. This ultimately occurred because of doctor’s sympathy towards the patients and wanting to end their suffering. Drug companies saw an opportunity to make money and so they did. When the government began to crackdown, those addicted to the pills found cheaper and more accessible alternatives on the street. By finding drugs on the street you do not always know what you are getting, for example when getting heroin, it can be cut with over the counter painkillers, talcum powder, laundry detergent, and rat poison to list a few. The intensity of the drug depends on where it is found in certain areas.
According to CBS News the top three states with the most opiate related drug overdoses are; New Mexico, West Virginia, and Las Vegas, Nevada. In 2014, 536 New Mexican citizens died from prescription opioids such as hydrocodone and oxycodone overdoses, making that a 19% increase from 2013. The state department is partnering up with health care providers to eliminate less overdoses by using a database that allows practitioners to monitor how much prescriptions patients are getting of painkillers. West Virginia leads with highest rate of overdoses death in the country. Heroin being the main problem, especially in the Eastern side of the state. The death rate of overdoses is 41.5 per hundred thousand people. It is believed by many residents of the Eastern side in places like Martinsburg that people feel isolated and take the drugs to escape the reality they live in. In Nevada per one hundred thousand patients they rank number two for most prescribed hydrocodone and oxycodone. Nevada is number four for overdose morality rate in the United States, the number of overdoses that have occurred equal the number of overdoses in every other city in the state in 2013. There are many things being done in not only these states but all across the United States to prevent and decrease the amount of overdoses that are happening.
There are many solutions being set into place. The biggest one being the prescription drug monitoring program which will decrease the supply that ends being used recreationally but still helping the patients who suffer chronic pain. Another way is treatment; having treatment available to anyone who needs it. It won’t just include inpatient and counseling services but also giving opioid medications like methadone and buprenorphine. The biggest thing that will save lives right away and hopefully will give those who have overdosed a wake-up call to get help is Naloxone brand named Narcan. When Congress passed the 21st Century Cures Act it included $1 billion to combat opioid addiction in 2017 and 2018 by doing this it will create prevention and treatment programs. States with the most problem like West Virginia will receive some of this money to help residents who are facing an opioid addiction. Those unfamiliar with this school of thought maybe be interested to know that it basically boils down to our country is facing a national opioid crisis that is affections thousands of Americans on the daily. I fully agree that treatment centers need to funded, the prescription drug monitoring program needs to funded and used in all healthcare offices that are able to prescribe painkillers. These are small approaches but approaches that will save lives and decrease this crisis and maybe in several years end the problem of opioid overdoses and addictions.
As I discussed what opioids are and how they work and how they started as something that would not be harmful. Now they are highly addictive and it has turned into an issue that has become a national state of emergency. Although some states issue is not as bad as others but the states like Las Vegas, Nevada, West Virginia, and New Mexico where hundreds are dying daily is something that needs to be taken care right away. The only way change will happen is if the proper funding is given and people are willing to seek treatment for their addiction. Allowing doctor’s offices to have the prescription drug monitoring system will help monitor how much patients are receiving and to keep track of frequency of how often patients are returning for painkillers. Having treatment centers available for those ready to seek help is also very important and letting those who are struggling know there is help available can be a lifesaver for those who have no hope. Having people understand the intensity and bigger issue of this crisis might help turn this crisis around in the upcoming years so it will no longer be an issue.