An American Epidemic

Recently I was watching a news channel when a segment came on about the opioid epidemic in America.
In this segment, the owner of a company explained that she cannot fill positions because of this epidemic.

She stated that at least four out of 10 applicants test positive for drug use. (Wow) 

She said that her employees must run huge machines, and she cannot afford to hire people who might harm someone else while under the influence of drugs.

This got me curious, so I did a bit of research to see how this epidemic came about. 

The opioid crisis likely began with the over-prescription of powerful opioid pain relievers in the 1990s. 

As of 2016 more than 289 million prescriptions were written for opioid drugs per year. 

Among the most common opioids prescribed have been oxycodone (Oxycontin and Percocet) and hydrocodone (Vicodin).

Fast forward to 2017. About 2 million Americans are abusing prescription opioids, representing about one out of three opioid prescriptions, according to one study.

The opioid crisis has hit many communities hard, leading to higher health care spending and personal tragedies. 

Sobering statistics, certainly.

Do you have a loved one struggling with opioid addiction?

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