The Opioid Epidemic & Missouri

Overview

The current opioid epidemic in the U.S. and Missouri contributes to thousands of drug overdose deaths involving prescription opioid pain relievers and illicit opioids. This epidemic affects all races and all socio-economic levels; it can be your neighbor, co-worker, family member, or your closest friend. One in three Missouri families has been affected by the opioid epidemic. Approximately three people die from an opioid overdose in Missouri every day.

This class of drug encompasses both prescription opioids and illicit opioids, including pain pills, heroin, and fentanyl derivatives. Synthetic opioids have recently become more prevalent in the Midwest. Familiar names include fentanyl, oxycodone, hydrocodone, codeine, morphine, and heroin.

Key Facts

• Every day, approximately 134 people die in the United States from opioid overdose (prescription and heroin). That's about one person every 10 minutes.
• Since 2010, this public health issue continues to kill more people per year than motor vehicle crashes.
• The opioid epidemic currently kills more U.S. citizens than HIV did at its peak (1995).
• In addition, 4,000 people misuse prescription pills or take someone else's prescription pills for the first time each day.
• Anyone who takes prescription pills can become addicted to them. As many as one in four patients receiving long-term opioid therapy in a primary care setting struggle with opioid addiction.
• Currently, for every 100 people in Missouri there are 80 prescriptions for opioid painkillers.
• The United States accounts for five percent of the world's population; however, Americans use 80% of the world's opioid painkillers and 99% of its hydrocodone.
• U.S. emergency rooms treat more than 1,000 people for not using prescription opioids as directed every day.
• Reportedly, over 600 people try heroin every day for the first time. Four out of five heroin users misused prescription painkillers first. They changed to heroin because of the cost compared to prescription pills and in some cases accessibility.

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