Opioids Epidemic
Opioids (which the cdc defines as “A class of drugs that include the illegal drug heroin, synthetic opioids such as fentanyl, and pain relievers available legally by prescription, such as oxycodone (OxyContin®), hydrocodone (Vicodin®), codeine, morphine, and many others.” are not a foreign topic. Many people have lost their lives and loved ones to the opioids epidemic which has been going on ever since around the year 2000 in the United States.
Credit: Flikr
Historical Background
There was a wider distribution of prescribed opioids starting in the 1990s. Which is when the first wave of overdosing on opioids started. But then in 2010, the second wave hit with increased numbers in overdoses on heroin. Since then, the prescriptions in the states for opioids have decreased because of the amount of death and injury due to the drug.
Although there are still states that have a problem with opioid related drugs such as : Kentucky, West Virginia, Alaska, and Oklahoma.
Current
However, the mass production of opioids continued in Mexico and during the COVID 19 pandemic made its way over to the US which increased our more recent numbers in overdose related deaths and injuries.
(End Overdose Instagram Post)
As of 2021, at least 107,000 people died from accidental overdose on synthetic opioids. Additionally in 2020, there was an average of 44 people dying a day from prescription opioids. It is tragic.
End Overdose
There has been a company/movement to end overdose. Its goal is to end overdose related deaths through kits and education. They distribute naloxone kits, test strips, and train people in case of overdose. If interested in discovering more about End Overdose click here. They’re on Instagram, TikTok, and FaceBook where they post videos of how to be responsive and know what to do in case of an overdose.
End Overdose has saved many lives. The chances of surviving overdose is dangerously low so naloxone kits have saved many people’s lives. They do really cool things to help people and it is highly recommended to visit their site and see what they do. Overdoses can happen anywhere to anyone.
Closure
It is heartbreaking the amount of people have died or lost a loved one to overdosing on opioids and other such drugs. There are some ways to go in order to end overdose but if we all spread awareness and know what’s going on, it makes it much easier for these things to go away.
