The cost of opioid use disorder and the value of aversion
The consequences of opioid misuse impact human lives, families, and communities, and also have a societal and economic impact. This study analyzes the financial burden of the opioid epidemic to create a framework for responsible use of limited resources. Perspectives of taxpayers, society, and the healthcare sector are considered in estimating the mean value of opioid use disorder (OUD) aversion and are categorized by age. Data from 2015 – 2018 was used, a period which was marked by a decrease of OUD, but an increase in spending on the diagnosis. Most of this financial impact was attributed to an increasing amount of fentanyl supply and use.
More than two-thirds of Americans don’t know how to properly dispose medications, new research reveals
The majority of Americans are not aware of safe medication disposal practices and tend to keep unused medications to avoid doctor visits and to save money. Common practices include throwing pharmaceuticals in the trash and flushing them. The article highlights safe disposal practices and emphasizes the need to implement them as a way to avoid societal harm.
The Economic Toll of the Opioid Crisis Reached Nearly $1.5 Trillion in 2020
The opioid crisis cost the U.S. nearly $1.5 trillion in 2020, driven by increased opioid use and an increase in overdose deaths during the COVID-19 pandemic. Pandemic-related disruptions, including reduced access to treatment and heightened social and economic stress, were considered to be factors in these outcomes. Racial disparities were also highlighted during this time, as Black Americans faced a sharper increase in overdose rates and greater barriers to treatment. While federal and state efforts have improved funding and access to care, more is needed to expand treatment, reduce stigma, and address the ongoing crisis.