Opiate Addiction Research Paper

Heroin and opioids have grown in appearance in communities. Since, 2008 in Allegheny County alone there was more than two thousand overdose deaths, with one hundred-seventy-seven deaths in this year alone (Pennsylvania). Furthermore, in 2015 there was only one -hundred-twenty-six;

In the last two decades, opioid addiction started affecting more and more Americans. But who is at fault for this epidemic? The pharmaceutical companies. They make and distribute their drugs to doctors and pharmacies and are making billions off the American worker’s dollar. All while, lying to doctors about these miracle drugs effectiveness and advocating against protective measures for the drugs.

There is no question that the alarming rate of deaths related to opioid overdose needs to be addressed in this county, but the way to solve the problem seems to remain a trial and error approach at this point. A patient is injured, undergoes surgery, experiences normal wear and tear on a hip, knee or back and has to live with that pain for the rest of their life or take a narcotic pain medication in order to improve their quality of life and at least be able to move. The above patients are what narcotic pain medications were created for, a population of people that use narcotic pain medications for fun is what is creating a problem. Narcotics are addictive to both populations, however taking the narcotic for euphoric reasons is not the intention of the prescription that the physician is writing. The healthcare system needs to find a way to continue to provide patients that experience chronic pain with the narcotics that work for them while attempting to ensure the Drug Enforcement Agency (DEA) doesn’t have to worry about a flood of pain pills hitting the streets by granting access to the population with a substance abuse problem.

The United States currently faces an unprecedented epidemic of opioid addiction. This includes painkillers, heroin, and other drugs made from the same base chemical. In the couple of years, approximately one out of twenty Americans reported misuse or abuse of prescriptions painkillers. Heroin abuse and overdoses are on the rise and are the leading cause of injury deaths, surpassing car accidents and gun shots. The current problem differs from the opioid addiction outbreaks of the past in that it is also predominant in the middle and affluent classes. Ultimately, anyone can be fighting a battle with addiction and it is important for family members and loved ones to know the signs. The cause for this epidemic is that the current spike of opioid abuse can be traced to two decades of increased prescription rates for painkillers by well-meaning physicians.

If you watch the news it should come as no surprise that drug abuse and overdoses have increased dramatically in the United States. According to the National Institute on Drug Abuse, as many as 36 million people abuse opioids throughout the world with 2.1 million in the U.S. who currently suffer from opioid abuse disorders (National Institute on Drug Abuse, 2014). These astonishing numbers are only marginalized when comparing them to opioid related deaths in the United States. With an increase of 137 percent since 2000, deaths from drug overdoses now occur 1.5 times more often than deaths from motor vehicle accidents (Rudd Aleshire, Zibbell & Gladden, 2016). The opioid epidemic in the

In Florida alone, thousands of Americans die every year due to the struggles of opioid addiction. According to Becker’s Hospital Review 1,399 (Rappleye) Floridians die each year from prescription or heroin overdose. Many families are affected by opioid

The opioid epidemic originally started in West Virginia and Kentucky. This epidemic quickly spread into Elkhart and St Joe counties in Indiana. Oaklawn is working to help people in these counties by providing education

Instead of putting someone in jail for crimes like possession they can choose to go to a treatment court. In treatment courts the addict has a large team of supporters and activities to battle their addiction. Most police officers are finding jail time isn't always the solution for addicts because they will only do about 30 days in prison then go back to their old ways once they are released. After treatment courts, 10-14% of people will go back to their old ways, while 70% of people who go through the prison system will go back to drugs like heroin. With the intense supervision and regular drug tests, this program is a great to battle addiction in York County. Pennsylvania has been pushing for more of these treatment centers around the state because the statistics are clearly showing that it is working. Once Pennsylvania can make these courts more common many officials think the heroin problem could turn around statewide.

Heroin addiction, Landis agrees is “the biggest problem in America,” and Ohio legislators are “just part of a team that's going to help solve the problem.”

According to Findlaw, under current Massachusetts law, possession of heroine is a felony punishable by 2 years with subsequent offenses calling for 5-16 years. There is serious doubt that prison time helps an addicted drug user, with many believing that the opposite is actually true. It is not uncommon for a drug addict in prison to continue being addicted to drugs as well as becoming involved with more serious crime. With this in mind, police departments have begun to put in a strong effort to arrest individuals who are involved with the distribution of heroin. I do believe that this is an important thing to do. The people who hold the supply and sell it are bigger criminals than the addicts. By arresting the people higher up in the

ESSENCE OF THE STORY: In the past few years, opioid addiction has become an epidemic in the United States leading to around 64,000 people dying from drug overdose in 2016 alone. As a result the health and human services secretary, Mr. Azar, and the F.D.A. chief, Dr. Scott Gottlieb, has made battling opioid addiction a top priority. The main way the F.D.A. is attempting to battle the epidemic is by allowing pharmaceutical companies to sell new types of medications that aren’t meant to stop addiction but to help suppress the cravings of addiction. The new medication that the F.D.A is approving is supposed to be a part of the program MAT, or medication-assisted-treatment. Mr. Azar as well as Dr. Scott have been pushing for more MAT in hope to help people with addiction live productive lives. Though like most big changes in society, the F.D.A’s decision has drawn criticism. Addiction experts are saying that new medication isn’t the solution but more access to the medication is.

A treacherous killer has found its way into the homes and communities of many Americans, destroying the lives of millions. An epidemic is ascending resulting in the addiction and overdosing of many Americans of all ages. Opioids are unpredictable and can affect a huge number of people in a small amount of time. The opioid epidemic is not a battle specifically targeting a particular area; ethnicity; age; gender or social status they are affecting well-respected individuals. The opioid epidemic has led Criminal Justice Officials to make accommodations to meet the needs of opioid users.

For those addicts who want rehabilitation, finding a bed in a treatment center is a challenge; thus, many become frustrated and continue on a path of destruction. If addicts commit a criminal offense, the courts provide assistance. Due to the over- crowding of jails and prisons, many states are increasing the level of supervision, the level of drug treatment, and the intensity of probation at the front end as a formula to put broken people on the right track, piece by piece.

The numbers of opiate addicts are increasing steadily every year. Clearly there is a much larger issue at hand. Addicts were traditionally found in low-income areas, with high unemployment rates. Now, there are many people that are employed, living in rural areas, also abusing drugs. This shows that

Drug-addicted offenders need to be placed in treatment centers if our society ever wants to put a dent in the monstrosity of drug abuse. Through these treatments and programs addicts can come to terms with their problems and be able to cope