AUDIO: This week we talk to Rachel Stappler. Rachel is a Certified Physician Assistant who lives and works in Coos County. She is the Executive Director of Coos County Disposal Coalition and is a Reserve Police Officer with the City of Myrtle Point.
In 2017 there were over 60,000 Drug Overdose Deaths. 42,249 of those were from Opioids. Roughly 116 Americans die a day from Opioid Overdose.
- 11.5 million patients prescribed opioids for chronic pain misuse them.
- Between 8 and 12 percent develop an opioid use disorder.
- An estimated 4 to 6 percent who misuse prescription opioids transition to heroin.
- About 80 percent of people who use heroin first misused prescription opioids.
- Opioid overdoses increased 30 percent from July 2016 through September 2017 in 52 areas in 45 states.
- The Midwestern region saw opioid overdoses increase 70 percent from July 2016 through September 2017.
- Opioid overdoses in large cities increase by 54 percent in 16 states.
- Emergency Room Visits and Deaths Related to Opioid Overdose Have More Than Quadrupled in The Last 15 Years and Continue To Rise.
- The Misuse of And Addiction to Opioids—Including Prescription Pain Relievers, Heroin, And Fentanyl—Is A National Crisis.
- The CDC Estimates Nearly Half of All Opioid Overdose Deaths Involve A Prescription Opioid.
- Prescription Opioids, Also Known As Happy Pills, Percs, Vikes, Oxy have been found to be addictive
Resources:
Drug Take Back Program – Oregon Health Authority
Get Smart About Drugs – Resources for Educators and Caregivers
Opioid Drug Abuse – National Institute on Drug Abuse
The Opioid Crisis – Whitehouse.gov
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