In October, 2017, President Donald Trump declared the opioid crisis a public health emergency. Years of rising prescription opioid use and misuse, followed by a surge in the use of illicit opioids have led to a spike in both overdoses […]
Category: Opioids
Newly signed law is an important step in ending opioid epidemic
Last Friday, President Obama signed a landmark piece of legislation into law. The Comprehensive Addiction and Recovery Act (CARA) is an important step toward ending our nation’s opioid epidemic. The Alliance is particularly excited about the opportunities to address opioid abuse for people who experience homelessness that this legislation offers communities.
Opioid Abuse and Homelessness
The issue of opioid abuse has risen to a level of national crisis as the number of people abusing prescription drugs and heroin has dramatically risen, and the rate of opioid-related overdose deaths has tripled since 2000.2 In 2014, an estimated 2.5 million people had opioid-use disorders (OUD) involving prescription drug or heroin abuse, and opioid-related overdoses were responsible for more than 28,000 deaths.
Going Above and Beyond CARA: An Opportunity to Address Opioid and Heroin Abuse
Prescription opioid and heroin abuse is a national crisis, and the Administration and Congress are taking steps – both on the national and state level – to fight this battle. But it’s not enough. Fatal overdoses from prescription drugs and heroin continue to escalate, particularly among those most vulnerable: those experiencing homelessness. We know that substance use disorders are known risk factors for homelessness , and that substance abuse and overdose disproportionately impact homeless people.