Opioid Drugs - From 'Wonder Drug' To A National Drug Abuse Crisis

The Opioid crisis started in the late 90s with the release of a new time-released opioid painkiller drug. The new formulation of Oxycodone was heavily marketed and prescribed by doctors. The Opioid wonder drug sales and usage increased rapidly, and by 2012 it reached 259 million prescriptions, which is enough to provide every American adult with a bottle of opioid. By 2015 there were over 33,000 opioid overdose deaths and over 2 million people suffering from Opioid use disorder. In 2017, the Opioid Crisis was declared as a national public health emergency and more resources and funds are now allocated to solve this crisis by raising awareness, improving public health access and support and funding research of drug alternatives.