The opioid crisis in the U.S. continues to impact communities, especially in poor, rural regions, despite recent public health initiatives. In 2023, 83 counties had more opioid prescriptions than residents, predominantly in the South and Midwest where poverty is higher than the national average. The crisis threatens public health, as increased prescribing correlates with higher addiction rates. Patients often turn to illegal drugs like heroin and fentanyl when legal options are unavailable. Therefore, while some progress has been made, significant challenges remain in addressing the opioid epidemic.
While new legislation and public health measures have managed to reign in crisis in the past several years, opioids are still rampant throughout the country.
In 2023, there were 83 U.S. counties where more opioid prescriptions were filled than there were residents, primarily in poor, rural areas.
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