Health

The Opioid Addiction Crisis

Andrew Wyka

(6/2020) Opioid drug addiction is becoming more prevalent in our society. The degree of addiction certainly varies by person, and it is important to understand that the individual is not always at fault. Someone who becomes addicted is often viewed as apathetic or enjoys getting high, but, that individual may be crying out for help.

A common occurrence is that victims are prescribed opioids to relieve pain and these painkillers are in turn highly addicting. A 2018 report from the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) stated that more than 1,000 Americans died from synthetic opioid overdoses every two weeks, topping 28,000 for the year. The odds of dying from an accidental opioid overdose in the U.S. are greater than those of dying in a car accident, according to findings from the National Safety Council (NSC).

Dr. Gregg Pane, former Director of Health for the District of Columbia, believes this crisis came about due to overprescribing of narcotic medications for pain. This occurred as some pharmaceutical companies pushed this practice and some prescribers were not careful enough in monitoring and follow up. As patients became addicted, some went to other doctors and pharmacies to get even more narcotics.

The unintended consequences of addiction can also lead to loss of employment. Some addicts become homeless on the street and cannot find work or seek shelter with relatives because their addictions often fuel ongoing family conflict. Addicts sometimes don’t get the help they need because society views them as responsible for their problem rather than as a victim. When a person experiences an overdose, the individual is in denial and refuses drug rehabilitation treatment which leaves first responders with no choice but to let them go. Opioids are strong substances with deadly consequences because when they affect the individual, it only gets worse over time. Addicts are likely to leave rehabilitation and start using drugs again.

It should also be recognized that family members sometimes do not see the warning signs that a loved one is using drugs. They often do not believe that their child or sibling is becoming an addict and may even be in complete denial.

Opioid abuse can also lead to more crime in the community. Mr. Robert Welch, a retired Assistant State Attorney for the Ninth Judicial Circuit of Florida, sas seen that opioid addiction can lead to the commission of crimes as a means of raising cash to support the drug habit. Typical offenses committed by addicts include property crimes (theft, burglary, dealing in stolen property), prostitution, drug trafficking and sale/delivery of controlled substances.

Mr. Welch stated the effects of opioid abuse also has significant impacts on the correctional system. In some jurisdictions, there is a specialized drug court diversionary program for which drug addicts arrested for drug possession and related crimes may qualify. If the offender is accepted into drug court, drug counseling and rehabilitation is required along with random drug testing and other conditions. Overall, Mr. Welch believes the impact on the correctional system due to opioid addiction is primarily the increased workload burden on probation officers.

As to the demographics of opioid addicts, Mr. Welch believes that addiction can impact all age groups from teens to senior citizens, all ethnicities, males and females. The impact does seem to be greater on people from lower socioeconomic backgrounds, perhaps because wealthier people with addiction issues are more likely to have access to high quality drug rehabilitation programs and medical assistance.

The coronavirus will likely have a significant impact on the opioid crisis that has killed more than 400,000 people in the United States since 2000, and it is likely going to worsen. Opioid drug addiction is already a serious health concern. Behavioral health centers, which have been at the forefront in addressing the opioid surge, are expecting a significant increase in use based on the health and economic concerns. They are also having the same challenges as schools in their attempt to provide services remotely.

Dr. Pane believes that coronavirus will result in many more Americans suffering from drug and alcohol abuse as a result of increased isolation, stress and fear. Opioid abuse can thrive when an individual feel isolated and hopeless. The current focus in COVID 19 will likely make this situation worse as health system resources and attention are focused on the virus and away from other conditions. But opioid addiction remains a huge health system priority. Continued community and national attention are required to keep addiction from exploding as many Americans are locked in their houses self-quarantining.

Part 2 will address the social isolation and anxiety effects of the Pandemic triggering an outbreak of many different harmful and risky addictions

Andrew Wyka is a Senior at West Virginia University in a Multi-Disciplinary Studies Program including Drug Addiction, Sociology and Marketing