Posted October 16, 20183:33 pm
Among the nearly 72,000 drug overdose deaths in 2017, the sharpest increase occurred among deaths related to opioids.
Every day, 1,000 people are treated in emergency rooms for opioid overdoses. The total economic burden is estimated to be $504 billion. Of this, $28.9 billion is due to health care costs. Including those in recovery and their extended family members, more than 11 million Americans are affected by the opioid crisis, with 2.1 million addicted.
Policymakers know the current epidemic requires a multi-disciplinary response that includes law enforcement, doctors, nurses, mental health professionals, social workers, and case managers. Additionally, civil legal aid providers are essential partners in solving one of America’s most pressing public health issues.
CLICK HERE for a fact sheet to learn more about how Legal Aid helps fight the opioid epidemic.