A new report suggests the problem surrounding opioids in this country, is getting worse, not better.
The Special Advisory Committee on the Epidemic of Opioid Overdoses, writes that "we continue to see an un-precedented number of opioid related overdoses" in this country.
The group says that the number of deaths related to the drug use between January and March of this year, is now up to more than 1-thousand. With 94% of those, accidental.
Also new numbers indicate that 8-thousand people have died because of an opioid overdose between January of 2016 and March of this year.
They go on to say in the report, "The epidemiological study released today highlights the change in recent years of the profile of the people who are dying. Historically, overdose-related deaths tended to be concentrated among people who had consumed drugs for a prolonged period. The current crisis reveals a wider spectrum-from persons who pass away the first time they take drugs, to persons living with chronic pain, to persons more experienced with substance use.
In order to address the opioid crisis, we need to explore the deeper social and structural determinants of health, such as risk factors and other causes that can lead to problematic substance use. We will continue to examine all available evidence to better understand the evolving trends of this crisis and to adjust our response efforts."