In your paper, address the following:
- How widespread is this crisis? What are the national statistics on opioid use?
- Using research data, determine the states and populations most affected and the reasons for the rise of this crisis.
- How does the national data on opioid use compare to data from your own city? If there are any differences, what can they be attributed to?
- Based on your understanding thus far, what could have attributed to the rise of opioid addiction in Anytown?
The paper should be 2–3 pages, excluding title and references pages. Use current APA formatting to style your paper and to cite your sources. Integrate a minimum of two scholarly sources into the paragraphs of your paper. Use internal citations pointing to evidence in the literature and supporting your ideas. You will need to include a reference page.
See the rubric for specific grading criteria.
Expert Solution Preview
Introduction: The opioid crisis has become a significant public health issue in the United States. This paper aims to discuss the extent of the crisis, the states and populations most affected, and the reasons for the rise of this crisis. Additionally, it will analyze the national data on opioid use and compare it to the data from a specific city to identify any differences and possible attributions that caused the crisis.
1. How widespread is this crisis? What are the national statistics on opioid use?
The opioid crisis has affected a considerable number of people in the United States. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), more than 70,000 people died from drug overdoses in 2019, with opioids contributing to over 67% of those deaths. Furthermore, the number of opioid overdose deaths has been increasing since 1999. In 2019, the rate of overdose deaths involving opioids was almost six times higher than in 1999.
2. Using research data, determine the states and populations most affected and the reasons for the rise of this crisis.
The opioid crisis has affected all states in the United States, but some are more severely impacted than others. According to the National Institute on Drug Abuse (NIDA), states with the highest opioid overdose death rates include West Virginia, Ohio, and Pennsylvania. Additionally, populations most affected by opioid addiction include individuals with a history of substance abuse, chronic pain patients, and young adults aged 25-44.
The reasons for the rise of this crisis are complex and multifactorial. Some of the factors contributing to the crisis include the over-prescription of opioids by healthcare providers, insufficient pain management alternatives, and the increased availability of synthetic opioids such as fentanyl.
3. How does the national data on opioid use compare to data from your own city? If there are any differences, what can they be attributed to?
In comparison to the national data, the data from Anytown shows that the opioid crisis has affected fewer people. According to the local health department, there were 15 opioid overdose deaths in 2019. The lower number of opioid-related deaths can be attributed to several factors, including the city’s smaller population, robust public health programs, and effective prevention and treatment efforts.
4. Based on your understanding thus far, what could have attributed to the rise of opioid addiction in Anytown?
Although Anytown has a comparatively lower number of opioid-related deaths, the city has not been immune to the opioid crisis. Contributing factors to the rise of opioid addiction in Anytown include the over-prescription by healthcare providers of opioids for pain management, the availability of opioids in the black market, and a lack of access to addiction treatment services in some parts of the city.
Conclusion: The opioid crisis is a significant public health issue that continues to impact communities across the United States. Addressing this crisis requires a comprehensive approach that includes prevention, early intervention, and treatment efforts. Identifying the extent of the crisis, populations most affected, and the reasons for the rise of this crisis is essential in developing effective strategies for combating opioid addiction.
