Public Health Issue #7: The Opioid Crisis
Opioid abuse is the largest contributor to drug overdose deaths. Much of the current opioid crisis is due to the overprescribing of common prescription painkillers such as hydrocodone (Vicodin) and oxycodone (OxyContin or Percocet).
Other types of opioids that contribute to the epidemic are heroin and synthetic opioids (fentanyl and tramadol, either prescribed or manufactured illegally).
Some of the effects of opioids include:
- Euphoria
- Confusion
- Drowsiness
- Nausea
According to the CDC, opioids account for about 70% of overdose deaths, with two-thirds of deaths caused by synthetic opioids and nearly one-third from common prescription painkillers.
In the U.S., federal and state governments have launched extensive public health programs to combat the epidemic. Steps include:
- Educating physicians on proper opioid prescribing practices
- Updating opioid prescription tracking systems
- Improving fatal and nonfatal drug overdose tracking systems
- Supplying emergency responders with overdose treatments
- Enhancing access to care for people with drug use disorders, including through community health clinics
Public Health Issue #8: CNS Depressant Abuse
Central nervous system depressants, or sedatives, are prescribed for conditions such as anxiety, panic attacks, sleep disorders, or tension. CNS depressants include benzodiazepines (Valium, Librium, and Xanax) and barbiturates (Mebaral and Nembutal).
When sedatives are taken in large doses, they can cause:
- Slowed reflexes
- Impaired thinking
- Blurred vision
- Slurred speech
Overdoses can result in unconsciousness, coma states, or death. Per the National Institute on Drug Abuse, some 10,700 overdose deaths from benzodiazepines were recorded in 2018 (out of about 67,400 total overdose deaths). Many of these deaths involved the combined use of benzodiazepines and opioids.
Public health programs increase access to recovery services. This can include identifying those with sedative abuse disorders and connecting them to health resources including addiction rehabilitation centers.
Treatments include supervised detoxification, counseling, and behavioral therapy. These public health programs might target high-risk communities, such as low-income urban neighborhoods or rural towns with insufficient health resources.