For the first time on record, the odds of accidentally dying from an opioid overdose in the United States are now greater than those of dying in an automobile accident.
https://www.cnn.com/2019/01/14/health/opioid-deaths-united-states-surpass-road-accidents/index.html
This news article by Kevin Flower and Meera Senthilingam presented the audiences with the new drug overdose statistics. By examining a variety of federal and state data, the lifetime odds of dying of an accidental opioid overdoes were 1 in 96. Compared to motor vehicle accidents the odds were 1 in 103. Comparing 2017 to 2016, there is an increase of 11% in poisoning deaths (including opioid overdoses). The CDC’s National Center for Health Statistics reports that drug overdose deaths reached a new high of 70,000 in 2017. The drug overdose death rates increased in 35 of 50 states from 2013 to 2017.
An average of 130 Americans dies from opioid overdose every day. It is becoming the leading cause of death. People often do not recognize this crisis. We discussed the process of passing public policies in class. How will the government respond to this crisis.
I believe an effective way to combat the opioid epidemic is to provide healthcare providers with useful opioid overdose data. And from there they can use the data as a guide for improving opioid prescribing. The government can pass regulations on prescription drugs. Local government should address this issue through the news. Also, raise awareness of this ongoing epidemic and encourage people to make a safe choice.
American Health 