CDC Overdose Statistics and Personal Reaction
Fatal and nonfatal drug overdoses present a major issue in the United States. The statistics show that the number of fatal drug overdose cases gradually grew over time, starting from 1999, resulting in more than 13,000 deaths in 2020 (CDC). The recent data from 2019-2020 shows that the highest number of deaths from drug overdoses was in New York (CDC). Moreover, the number of deaths increased by 12.3% from 2019 to 2020, making New York one of the most concerning states in the issue.
Comparing the drug overdose statistics in New York and Texas further emphasizes the critical situation in New York. Thus, despite Texas being much larger than New York, the number of overdose deaths there is significantly less than in New York (730 and 1,145) (CDC). The difference can be explained through the involvement of urbanization in the heroin overdose issue.
Analysis and Reaction to Chasing Heroin Segments
The first segment in the Chasing Heroin documentary demonstrates another side of the issue. Thus, the segment explains that the opiate prescription crisis significantly contributes to the issue by causing a rise in the number of people with an addiction who have no choice but to turn to heroin (Gaviria). Compared with information obtained from statistical data, the documentary provides more details about the reasons behind the rise in the heroin overdose epidemic. Moreover, the documentary demonstrates real-life cases of people battling addiction, emphasizing the severity of the problem to the viewers. I find that using real-life examples allowed me to understand the issue’s scale better and become more compassionate toward the people living with an addiction.
Furthermore, another segment of the documentary discussed the difficulties in treating addiction. The film explained that the clinics’ adverse effects compromised the closest working treatment option in the form of methadone clinics in their surroundings (Gaviria). The segment was interesting for me because it illustrated the addiction’s connection with other negative and unhealthy behaviors and identified the need for a complex approach to the treatment of addiction.
Strategies for Addressing the U.S. Heroin/Opioid Epidemic
Therefore, I think that in defining the possible ways the U.S. can improve the outcomes of the heroin/opioid epidemic, it is crucial to maintain a complex approach to the issue. Thus, providing appropriate conditions for people with a substance use disorder to minimize their access to drugs in the near future can prevent them from relapsing. Developing a safe alternative for people who use opioids as a painkiller can also contribute to resolving the problem.
Works Cited
CDC. “Heroin Overdose Data.” CDC, Web.
Gaviria, Marcela, producer. Chasing Heroin. PBS, 2016.