HCAOA The Voice Fall 2019

PUBLIC POLICY THE WASHINGTON POST REPORTS that a new government survey shows opioid abuse is declining by double digits—welcome data to public health advocates and policymakers who are wrestling with an epidemic that has crippled communities across the nation. Eleven percent fewer Americans reported pain reliever misuse in 2018 compared with the year prior, according to an annual survey released on August 20 by the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration. Heroin use is declining among adults under age 26 and holding steady among those older. The survey also showed declines in the use of other drugs including cocaine, methamphetamine, and hallucinogens. Generally speaking, drug abuse has been on the decline since peaking around 2015 and 2016 (with the exception of marijuana). A few of the survey highlights: 9.9million Americans misused pain relievers in 2018, down from 12.5 million in 2015. 808,000 Americans used heroin in 2018, down from 948,000 in 2016. 1.9million young adults ages 18 to 25 abused opioids in 2018, down from three million in 2015. The data adds to a mounting pile of evidence that efforts to combat and draw attention to the drug abuse crisis are starting to work, although public health advocates say there’s still a long way to go. President Trump says he has made opioid abuse a top priority, and local, and state governments are currently embroiled in hundreds of lawsuits demanding financial restitution from the top opioid makers and distributors. Opioids Epidemic Update: Fewer Americans are Abusing Eleven percent fewer Americans reported pain reliever misuse in 2018 compared with the year prior, according to an annual survey released on August 20 by the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration. 19 Fall 2019