LaPorte County Opioid Addiction Needs Assessment

Abstract

The opioid epidemic continues to affect the lives of many Americans. Paralleling the rise in prescription opioid (pain reliever) sales over the past two decades, the country also experienced an increase in opioid-related morbidity and mortality. Between 2000 and 2015, more than half a million Americans died from drug overdoses, the majority of which were attributable to opioids. The costs, in terms of human suffering and economic impact, are considerable. Based on findings from the LaPorte County survey and key informant interviews that were conducted in the community, respondents cited lack of or limited access to treatment services, especially detoxification, inpatient services, and medication-assisted treatment, as a major challenge in dealing with the epidemic. Furthermore, socio-economic factors, such as poverty and unemployment, and limited awareness or acceptance of the problem within the larger community, together with insufficient funding to address the problem, were described as contributing factors.