The North American Opioid Epidemic.

Area of Science:

• Public Health
• Epidemiology
• Pharmacology

Background:

• The opioid epidemic in North America is a complex crisis stemming from widespread opioid overprescription, increased heroin use, and the accessibility of illicit synthetic opioids.
• Opioids are among the most frequently prescribed medications in both the United States and Canada.

Purpose of the Study:

• To summarize recent publications and governmental data on the opioid crisis in North America.
• To highlight the history, contributing factors, regulatory actions, and future strategies for mitigating the opioid crisis.

Main Methods:

• Review of recent publications (primarily 2015-2020) and online governmental reports and datasets.
• Focus on English-written literature.

Main Results:

• Opioid pain relievers have led to a major drug overdose epidemic in the US, with opioids implicated in nearly two-thirds of all overdose deaths.
• Significant increases in emergency department visits for nonmedical opioid use, treatment-seeking for opioid addiction, and neonatal abstinence syndrome have been observed.
• High mortality rates associated with the opioid crisis persist in both the United States and Canada.

Conclusions:

• The opioid crisis is an ongoing public health emergency in North America.
• Understanding the history and underlying issues is crucial for developing effective mitigation strategies.
• Future efforts should focus on regulatory actions, novel therapies, and comprehensive strategies to address the multifaceted nature of the opioid epidemic.