News Article

New Report Calls Ohio the 'Face of the Nation's Opioid Epidemic'

Lack of treatment capacity means nearly 86 percent of those with drug dependence in Ohio are not accessing the care they need.

Monday, October 10, 2016

by Cleveland Patch

WASHINGTON, DC - A new report from the Democratic staff of the Senate Finance Committee has called Ohio the face of the nation's opioid addiction epidemic, saying that nearly 86 percent of people suffering from dependence or misuse issues do not have access to the care they need. By population, Ohio is the seventh largest state in the nation. However, in 2014, Ohio had the second most deaths by opioid overdose.

"The Opioid Use Disorder Treatment Gap and the Need for Funding" report argues that Congress needs to approve nationwide funding for treatment programs for addicts. It notes that 78 people die from an opioid overdose every day — that's more than one person every 20 minutes.

http://patch.com/ohio/cleveland/new-report-calls-ohio-face-nations-opioid-epidemic