The 2 Opioid Epidemics

The opioid epidemic is actually 2 epidemics, argues a Boston Globe reporter who reviewed death certificates compiled by the CDC. The toll of heroin has been masked by prescription drug overdoses from drugs like OxyContin.

A single set of interventions aimed at the opioid epidemic will no succeed because “heroin and prescription opioids are killing different people, in different ways, across different parts of the country,” writes Evan Horowitz.

Heroin is largely claiming lives of young men in their 20s and 30s in New England and the Midwest, while prescription opioids are killing people (including significant numbers of women) throughout the U.S. and especially those age 45-54.
The Boston Globe