A new report compiled and released by the Centers for Disease Control (CDC) reveals that the number of opioid overdoses in the United States increased by 30% between July 2016 and September 2017, a span of only 14 months.
The data released by the CDC demonstrates that the opioid crisis continues to wreak havoc across the US. The report revealed that the amount of opioid overdoses rose even more dramatically in the Midwestern region of the country, where a 70% increase in the rate of overdoses occurred over the course of the 14 month period. But other areas saw a rise as well, with large cities in 16 different states experiencing a 54% increase in the number of opioid overdoses.
It wasn’t just a variety of geographic locations that saw an increase in the number of opioid overdoses. People across demographic boundaries had rates of opioid overdose rise. Regardless of gender or age group, rates of opioid overdose increased across the US. In four states – Wisconsin, Illinois, Pennsylvania, and Delaware – there was more than a 50% increase in the number of emergency department visits for opioid overdoses.
The data reveals that the opioid crisis is far from over, and the report identifies multiple strategies for combating the ongoing addiction crisis. One recommended strategy involves naloxone, the lifesaving medication which can reverse the effects of an opioid overdose. The report recommends that every community has both naloxone and adequate training to ensure that the medication can be administered as necessary, which can save lives.
The report also recommends increased access to medication-assisted treatment (MAT) for those struggling with opioid use disorder (OUD). By ensuring those who struggle with an addiction to opioids are able to take part in the substance abuse recovery treatment they need, authorities hope to mitigate the consequences of the opioid crisis.
