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America’s Opioid Epidemic
Article

America’s Opioid Epidemic

Lessons from Eastern Kentucky

CSIS, 2017

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Even before the scourge of opioid addiction decimated Appalachia, eastern Kentucky was a dreary place. The coal mines had closed, and the jobs had left. Then came a wave of addiction to prescription pills, heroin and methamphetamine, and the picture became even bleaker. In this quick overview of the pathology of eastern Kentucky, researchers J. Stephen Morrison and Lillian Dattilo find a few reasons for optimism but even more causes for concern. getAbstract recommends this grim report to those seeking insights into a devastating social problem.

Take-Aways

  • The state of Kentucky has one of the US’s highest rates of overdose deaths due to opioid addiction. Some counties in eastern Kentucky see overdose death rates that are triple the national average.
  • The roots of the crisis lie in prescription painkillers, but users combine illegal substances such as heroin, methamphetamine and fentanyl with legally manufactured drugs.
  • Kentucky has established a drug court, upgraded its prescription monitoring and extended access to addiction treatment through Obamacare health insurance.

About the Authors

J. Stephen Morrison is senior vice president and director of global health policy at the Center for Strategic and International Studies, where Lillian Dattilo is a research assistant.


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