National Institute on Drug Abuse research shows that an estimated 65% percent of the United States prison population has an active substance use disorder (SUD). Another 20% percent did not meet the official criteria for an SUD but were under the influence of drugs or alcohol at the time of
Data has emerged as a crucial weapon in the battle against the overdose epidemic in the United States. Government agencies nationwide are grappling with social issues such as gun violence, gang activity, burglaries and homelessness to go along with the enduring overdose crisis. Addressing these issues requires using data to
Did you know that over 300 people die daily from drug overdoses in the US? As a pharmacist, I have witnessed the harrowing effects of substance use disorder (SUD) and the resulting opioid crisis on individuals, families and communities. The complexity of addiction Who among us does not know someone
Mental Health Month is an important time to honor and raise awareness around mental illness and mental wellness. Correcting and combating stigma and discrimination, including with data, is one of the month’s major goals. It’s hard to talk about mental health without also addressing substance use disorders (including opioids), homelessness
September honors Recovery Month, emphasizing hope for recovery in behavioral health, especially from substance use disorders (SUD). A key motto of Recovery Month is that Recovery Happens, helping people know that even at rock bottom, things can improve. We all need that hope at various points in our lives. Often,
The opioid epidemic continues to be one of the largest challenges facing the United States. In 2016, more than 42,000 Americans died from opioid overdoses, and that number continues to climb. Recent data shows that more than 130 people die every day in the United States after overdosing on opioids,
The headline from the Newark Star-Ledger tells the story: “N.J. drug overdose deaths in 2018 on a record-shattering pace.” The opioid crisis continues to grow in New Jersey. From July 1, 2016 to June 30, 2017, the state saw a 34.7 percent increase in the number of opioid-related deaths, a
