Addressing the Opioid Crisis

Drug Overdose No. 1 Cause of Unintentional Death in U.S.

Data from the 2023 National Survey on Drug Use and Health revealed that 3.1% of people (8.9 million) misused opioids in the past year. Further, nearly 40% of people who misused prescription opioids got them from a friend or relative. 

Substance use disorder or addiction is a chronic medical condition that increases a person’s risk of overdose. Our biology, life experiences, family history and how our brains work contribute to our risk of addiction. Stigma, meanwhile, is a major barrier in overcoming the challenges of addiction. It can impact the ability to access work, housing, adequate health care and even negatively impact overall wellbeing. For example, among people who were classified as needing substance use treatment in the past year, only one in four received it. This is why it is so important to lend compassionate support to help reverse the overdose crisis. 

There are many other ways you can take action to keep loved ones safe and support individuals embarking on their recovery journey:

● Obtain naloxone, an opioid overdose reversal medication, and get trained on how to use it

● Learn how to confidently talk with your loved ones about opioid and other drug use

● Be anti-stigma by educating yourself, sharing personal stories, and challenging negative attitudes and stereotypes 

● Learn about safe storage and disposal of medications

● Support the federal WORK to Save Lives Act (H.R. 5420/S. 2948) and other legislation to support the availability of naloxone

● Be informed about alternatives to opioids when talking with medical providers

● Support loved ones along their journey to treatment and recovery 

● Provide resources for your workplace to improve worker wellbeing