The Addiction Center is an organization that helps patients find the help they need to recover from addiction. They define the Opioid Epidemic as a growing issue that refers to the increasing number of deaths and hospitalizations from opioids. (Smith The Opioid Epidemic) This crisis is a devastating national issue; for there are over one hundred Americans across the country dying each day due to opioid overdose. Ann Schuchat, CDC acting director, stated, This fast-moving epidemic does not distinguish age, sex, or state or county lines, and is still increasing in every region of the U.S. (Transcript for VitalSigns Teleconference: Opioid Overdoses Treated in Emergency Departments) Schuchat refers to the Opioid crisis as an epidemic, which is a widespread occurrence of an infectious disease. This outbreak is spreading; there are more and more Americans are falling into this all-encompassing addiction. So far the Opioid crisis is not slowing down, if anything it is accelerating, and no one knows when it will end, or if it will end at all. Soon no one will be able to go untouched by the shattering effects that come from opioid addiction. Because this is such
a widespread crisis, many people are passionate about this topic; such as healthcare professionals, writers, reporters researching this national crisis, and personal stories from individuals affected, or from family members of those affected that passed away.
Dangers of opioids
The Opioid Epidemic began in the late 90s when pharmaceutical companies began creating new ways to manage pain. (Smith The Opioid Epidemic) These companies promised good results and did not yet know the risks to these opioids which led many doctors to begin prescribing them in large amounts. George Lopez, a writer for VOX since 204 and a former Cincinnati Newspaper writer, explains, no one knew what future problems opioids could cause so the US was soon flooded with opioid painkillers prescribed by healthcare professionals. Drug dealers then followed by selling heroin and illegal opioids that people could buy when their prescriptions ran out or when they wanted something stronger. ( Lopez The Opioid Epidemic, Explained.) Because of opioids strong addictive properties when someone becomes addicted they need for something stronger, which often leads to the use of many illegal drugs.