Opioid Crisis Research Paper

Key Judgements-
• The Opioid Crisis in the US is a considerable threat to US homeland security.
• Mexico is the largest supplier of illicit substances being trafficked through the US southern border.
• Narcotics pose major risks to citizens who are suffering from addiction.
• Most of the resources are being allocated towards controlling drug market between the US and Mexico.
• Much more must be done to help the victims of abuse caused by these markets.
• The US and Mexican Governments must combine forces to stop the Drug Cartels from building any more markets.

Background- The Opioid Crisis in this country is a major threat to both homeland security and the health of its citizens. “Every day, more than 115 Americans die after overdosing on opioids.” (https://www.drugabuse.gov/drugs-abuse/opioids/opioid-overdose-crisis ) The reason this is a problem is twofold: “In the late 1990s, pharmaceutical companies reassured the medical community that patients would not become addicted to prescription opioid pain relievers, and healthcare providers began to prescribe them at greater rates. This subsequently led to widespread diversion and misuse of these medications before it became clear that these medications could indeed be highly addictive.” …show more content…
Right now, most of the efforts are focused on arresting and seizing, but very little of the funds are being used to heal those who are the victims. There are many different programs in place, the US Department of Health and Human Services is focused on, “1. improving access to treatment and recovery services 2. promoting use of overdose-reversing drugs 3. strengthening our understanding of the epidemic through better public health surveillance 4. providing support for cutting-edge research on pain and addiction 5. advancing better practices for pain management”(https://www.drugabuse.gov/drugs-abuse/opioids/opioid-overdose-crisis

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