The opioid crisis has claimed over 112,000 lives in 2023, surpassing deaths from car accidents and gun violence combined. The epidemic has cost $1.5 trillion and is contributing to a decline in national life expectancy. Disparities in OUD treatment exist based on race and location, with White patients receiving more medication than Black patients. Urban Black communities are now disproportionately affected by the crisis. Marginalized groups like the justice-involved face increased overdose risk post-release due to lack of access to treatment. Addressing these challenges requires community collaborations, financial incentives for quality care, and a focus on equity in healthcare. Rep. Ann Kuster’s Rehabilitation and Recovery During Incarceration Act offers hope for change in 2024.
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Will 2024 be the Year We Address the Real Roots of the Opioid Crisis?
