Turning the tide or riptide? The changing opioid epidemic

Area of Science:

• Public Health
• Epidemiology
• Toxicology

Background:

• The US opioid epidemic has evolved significantly, necessitating policy recalibration.
• Prescription opioids previously fueled the epidemic but now play a minor role.

Purpose of the Study:

• To analyze the changing patterns of overdose deaths in Jefferson County, Alabama, through June 2016.
• To provide local data augmenting national opioid overdose statistics, particularly concerning fentanyl.

Main Methods:

• Analysis of overdose death data from Jefferson County, Alabama, updated through June 30, 2016.
• Comparison of local data with national trends from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.

Main Results:

• Heroin and fentanyl have become the primary drivers of lethal opioid overdoses.
• Prescription opioids accounted for no more than 15% of reported deaths in 2015.
• These shifts occurred despite reductions in opioid prescribing and misuse.

Conclusions:

• Current US policy focusing on prescription reduction requires reconsideration due to the changing nature of the opioid epidemic.
• The primary policy priority should be ensuring access to medication-assisted treatment for opioid use disorder.
• Continued focus on prescription reduction may yield diminishing returns and pose risks to patients.