The opioid epidemic is a national problem, with one in five Americans dying from a heroin overdose in 2017 alone.¹

There are many factors that contributed to the rising heroin epidemic, such as looser prescribing standards, a focus on patient satisfaction, and increasingly potent drugs like fentanyl. At our center for drug detox in Stuart, we have witnessed the dangers of heroin firsthand. We’re exploring how communities are fighting the heroin epidemic.

Heroin Epidemic Facts

Before exploring how some communities are fighting the heroin and opioid epidemic, it’s important to understand the facts behind this frightening trend of heroin, opiate, and fentanyl use. The CDC² links the rise in opioid overdose deaths to three waves of problematic increases:

• Increase in opioid prescriptions over the 1990s, due largely to aggressive marketing from opioid manufacturers and the desire for satisfied patients
• Increase in opioid overdose deaths involving heroin, which is an illegal and highly potent opioid many addicts turn to when their prescription pills run out
• Increase in opioid overdose deaths involving fentanyl, a highly potent synthetic opioid that’s found in heroin, illegal pills, cocaine, and more

Fighting the Heroin Epidemic

Communities have taken a variety of approaches to fighting the heroin epidemic. One community in Minnesota, Little Falls, sought to fight its growing opioid and heroin problems by cutting the number of prescriptions for opioids and offering addicts support for sobriety rather than condemnation and criminal prosecution. In fact, nine rural communities in Minnesota have been taking this different approach. In one year alone, the number of prescribed painkillers dropped by 1.5 million, with an increase in alternative pain management techniques. ³

This reduction in opioid prescriptions helped lower the number of individuals exposed to dangerous opioids. Combined with a greater variety of treatment opportunities, the communities were able to help individuals find sobriety while lowering the number of opioid overdoses.

Finding Treatment for Heroin Addiction

At Banyan Detox Stuart, we offer detoxification and treatment for heroin addiction, opiate addiction, prescription pill addiction, and more. If you are searching for drug and alcohol detox centers in Stuart for yourself or a loved one, we are here to help.

Call 888-280-4763 to learn more about our detox and treatment programs.

Sources:

1. CDC – Drug Overdose Deaths in the United States, 2001–2021
2. CDC – Understanding the Epidemic
3. StarTribune – In outstate Minnesota, hospitals slash opioid prescriptions