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As the U.S. opioid crisis gained steam a decade ago, Michigan was flooded by pain pills by suppliers and distributors who seemed more focused on sales than the drugs’ dangers, according to recently released documents.
U.S. overdose deaths last year likely fell for the first time in nearly three decades, preliminary numbers suggest.
In a study of more than 3,000 counties across the U.S., researchers found that residents of 412 counties are at least twice as likely to be at high risk for opioid overdose deaths and to lack providers who can deliver medications to treat opioid use disorder.
There’s no one easy answer for how to respond to the opioid epidemic. Cities, counties, and states across the country have tried to be innovative in their approach to the public health crisis ever since concern over opioid and heroin use began to grow.
The causes driving the opioid crisis are more complex than just the actions of pharmaceutical companies. A fragmented health care system, ineffective policies, and current federal and state laws are all contributing to the level of difficulty when it comes to combating overdoses and addiction within the United States.
Making medications more affordable would improve the health of the most vulnerable among us. In some circumstances, it could even reduce total health care spending by averting preventable hospitalizations and emergency room visits.