Introduction to the opioid crisis
Introduction to the site
An instructional video for health educators and intervention specialists
According to the World Health Organization, Opioids are substances derived from the opium poppy, or synthetic analogues with similar effects. Examples are morphine, heroin, tramadol, oxycodone and methadone. Opioids have the potential to cause substance dependence that is characterized by a strong desire to take opioids. Opioid overdose occurs when excessive amounts of narcotics are ingested. It is a leading cause of accidental death. Symptoms include slowed or even stopped heart rate and breathing, and decreased level of consciousness. Due to their effect on the part of the brain which regulates breathing, opioids in high doses can cause respiratory depression and death.
The United States is undergoing an epidemic of deaths caused by prescription drug overdoses. Every 19 minutes, someone in the United States dies from an unintentional prescription drug overdose (American Public Health Association). Not only are the morbidity and mortality rates associated with prescription drugs a top public health concern, but the costs imposed on the US economy are also substantial. A 2011 study estimated that, in 2006, non-medical use of prescription painkillers imposed a cost of $53.4 billion on the US economy, including $42 billion in lost productivity, $8.2 billion in increased criminal justice costs, $2.2 billion for drug abuse treatment, and $944 million in medical complications.
In this community intervention toolkit, we have provided evidence based interventions for reducing opioids addiction.