How Nursing Is Helping To Combat The Opioid Epidemic

The opioid epidemic knows no boundaries. The epidemic is not limited to race, profession or socioeconomic status. Since 1999, the number of overdose deaths involving opioids (heroin and prescribed opioids) nearly quadrupled with more people dying from drug overdoses in 2014 than recorded in any prior year. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) reports that 78 Americans die every day from an opioid overdose. At least half of all opioid overdose deaths involve a prescription opioid. Despite recent initiatives that have been put into place to curb the number of opioid related deaths, such as public availability of the opioid antidote naloxone, it is essential to address the root cause of the issue. According to the CDC, the three areas that must be targeted to address this epidemic relate to: 1) improve prescribing of opioids; 2) expand treatment of addiction; and 3) reduce access to illegal opioids. Nurses are uniquely positioned to combat this epidemic and play a pivotal role in the prescribing of opioids as well as steering those suffering from drug addiction to available treatment options and community services. Education is an essential factor in reducing opioid deaths. Both health care providers and consumers must be aware of evidence supporting the correlation between prescription opioid use, and opioid use disorder and overdose, particularly with high doses and long-term use. It is important to note that the new evidence-based guideline is not intended ...
Source: Healthy Living - The Huffington Post - Category: Consumer Health News Source Type: news