“Consider that every day, 44 Americans die as a result of prescription opioid overdose, and the rate of heroin-related overdose deaths has nearly quadrupled since 2002. In addition, the nation is seeing an increase in opioid-related pediatric exposures and poisonings. There has been a distressing rise in neonatal abstinence syndrome as a result of women being exposed to opioids during pregnancy. Misuse by older adults also has become an increasing concern. The rate of opioid-related hospital admissions has increased significantly over the last two decades across all age cohorts. Because of higher rates of substance use disorders in the current “baby boomer” cohort, illicit and nonmedical drug use among older adults is expected to increase in the future.”

Continue reading here:https://www.cns.org/news-advocacy/congress-quarterly/congress-quarterly-spring-2016/Neurosurgeons_Partner_Reduce_Opioid_Abuse