A recent OSU (Ohio State University) study reveals that the opioid epidemic inflicts an annual financial toll on Ohio of almost $9 billion, a figure that parallels the state’s yearly expenditure on K-12 education. From 2014 to 2016, rates of opioid overdoses fatalities in Ohio were the highest in the United States.
Although statewide initiatives have diminished the prevalence of prescription opioid misuse, the opioid crisis in Ohio has evolved, shifting from heroin to fentanyl, an even more damaging synthetic opioid that’s many magnitudes stronger than other opioids.
Understanding The Opioid Crisis in Ohio
Ohio’s struggle with the opioid crisis has deeply impacted communities across the state. This issue has evolved over the years, manifesting in various forms and requiring a nuanced approach to address effectively. The crisis has not only taken a significant human toll, with lives lost and families affected, but it has also imposed a substantial economic burden on the state.
The roots of the opioid crisis in Cincinnati, Ohio, and beyond can be traced back to the late 1990s and early 2000s when prescription opioids became much more widely available. These medications, marketed for their pain-relieving properties, were initially believed to be relatively safe. However, their addictive potential was grossly underestimated, leading to widespread misuse, dependence, and addiction in the form of opioid use disorder.
As measures to control prescription opioid misuse were implemented, individuals addicted to these medications began seeking alternatives. Heroin, cheaper and more accessible, emerged as a substitute for many. The transition from prescription opioids to heroin marked a significant escalation of the crisis, with heroin’s potency and the risk of overdose further compounding the public health emergency.
The crisis took an even more deadly turn with the introduction of fentanyl into the illicit drug supply. Fentanyl, a synthetic opioid, is 50 times more potent than heroin and has been responsible for a surge in overdose deaths. Its inclusion – often undisclosed – in other drugs has made every instance of substance use potentially life-threatening.
Ohio has taken proactive steps to mitigate the opioid crisis, including regulating prescription practices, enhancing overdose prevention efforts, and expanding access to treatment and recovery services. Despite these efforts, the crisis’s evolution, from prescription opioids to heroin and fentanyl, presents ongoing challenges – more on this below.
Why Is Ohio in an Opioid Crisis?
Ohio’s opioid crisis stems from a combination of factors including aggressive marketing of prescription opioids in the late 1990s, which led to widespread misuse and addiction. As regulations tightened around prescription drugs, those addicted turned to more accessible and cheaper alternatives like heroin, followed by the lethal narcotic fentanyl. The state’s geographical positioning also made it a key point in drug trafficking routes, exacerbating the issue. These elements, combined with socio-economic challenges, have further fueled the opioid crisis.
Ohio Opioid Crisis Statistics
In 2020, Ohio witnessed a tragic surge in unintentional drug overdose deaths, with 5,017 lives lost, marking a 25% increase from the previous year. This rise was significant, even though it was slightly lower than the national average increase of 35%. The overwhelming majority of these fatalities – 81% – were attributed to illicit fentanyl or its analogs, often in conjunction with other substances.
Among various demographic groups, black non-Hispanic males experienced the highest rates of drug overdose deaths in Ohio during this period.
After a decrease in 2018, the state observed a consistent rise in overdose deaths throughout 2019, with an initial dip in the first quarter of 2020 followed by a sharp increase in the second quarter. May 2020, in particular, saw the highest monthly total of unintentional drug overdose deaths ever documented in Ohio, with 574 people losing their lives.
Opioid Crisis Ohio Facts
Accidental drug overdoses, primarily from opioids, are the leading cause of injury-related deaths in Ohio. Recognizing the gravity of this epidemic early on, Governor John Kasich initiated GCOAT (Governor’s Cabinet Opiate Action Team) in 2011, positioning Ohio ahead of many states in addressing this crisis. GCOAT unites various state agencies in a comprehensive effort to tackle opioid abuse and prevent overdose fatalities.
This concerted strategy promotes both informal and formal collaboration, allowing state entities and partners throughout Ohio to utilize their distinct capabilities, access to data, and policy influence effectively. Ohio’s holistic approach includes efforts at both state and local levels, engaging law enforcement, public health officials, addiction and treatment specialists, healthcare professionals, educators, and the general population.
What Solutions Are There for The Ohio Opioid Crisis?
Under the guidance of GCOAT, Ohio has been a pioneer in the fight against prescription drug abuse, investing over $1 billion annually for more than a decade. The strategies employed are diverse and targeted:
- Enhancing drug interdiction efforts: The State Highway Patrol has amplified its efforts to disrupt the flow of drugs across state lines, achieving unprecedented levels of drug seizures for five years running.
- Promoting responsible prescribing: Ohio has issued prescribing guidelines for emergency departments and healthcare providers, aiming to minimize the misuse of opioids, limit excess medications, and encourage alternatives to opioid therapies.
- Boosting prescription monitoring: The state’s prescription drug monitoring system usage surged, with more than 88 million reports pulled in 2017 alone. This uptick has led to a notable reduction in opioid prescriptions and a decline in doctor shopping practices.
- Initiating regulatory reforms for wholesalers: Ohio has imposed stringent guidelines for drug wholesalers to better monitor and report suspicious activities in the drug supply chain to authorities.
- Cracking down on pill mills: A key focus has been the aggressive closure of pill mills, significantly diminishing the street availability of prescription opioids and addressing a major source of drug diversion.
- Supporting recovery in the workforce: The Ohio Bureau of Workers’ Compensation has introduced several initiatives to lower opioid dependence among injured workers. These include the establishment of a medication policy panel, creation of a drug formulary, and the promotion of prescribing best practices.
Ohio’s broad-based strategy seeks to alleviate the impact of prescription drug abuse and addiction, ensuring the health and safety of its communities while paving the way for a future where public health is protected and addiction rates are significantly lowered.
Get Opioid Addiction Treatment at Ohio Recovery Centers
Opioid addictions can be aggravating and disruptive, but they are also treatable with evidence-based interventions. At Ohio Recovery Centers, we specialize in the outpatient treatment of opioid addictions at our rehab in Cincinnati, OH.
Outpatient treatment is not only affordable and covered by most health insurance policies, but it also enables you to fulfill your everyday obligations without compromising your recovery.
Due to the unique presentation of all opioid addictions, expect to access a personalized blend of treatments that may include medications, psychotherapy, counseling, and a variety of holistic therapies. All of our treatment programs also include a comprehensive aftercare component to minimize the chance of relapse derailing your recovery.
Call 877-679-2132 today and start addressing opioid addiction right away.
