Calculating the Real Costs of the Opioid Crisis.

Abstract

The statistics regarding the opioid crisis in the United States are staggering, have been the focus of the media for more than a decade, and show no signs of improving. In 2016, 2.4 million Americans were estimated to have an opioid use disorder, ranging from the misuse of prescription opioids to the abuse of heroin and other illicit opioids.1 This includes 0.6% of adolescents 12 to 17 years of age and 1.1% of young adults 18 to 25 years of age. In 2015, 50 000 Americans died of overdose, of which 33 000 (63%) were from opioids.2 Despite policies to regulate drug supplies and increase access to treatment, overdose death rates have doubled in the past 10 years and have continued to rise for adults.3 Although the death rate from overdose has plateaued recently for those younger than 18 years and the rate of prescription opioid misuse has … Address correspondence to Sheryl A. Ryan, MD, FAAP, Division of Adolescent Medicine, Briarcrest Building, 905 W Governor Rd, Hershey, PA 17033. E-mail: sryan4{at}pennstatehealth.psu.edu