Increased Risk of Opioid Abuse, Overdose Among Veterans
In 2012, the CDC declared prescription drug overdose to be a national epidemic; in 2014, a national conversation began about the connection between the drastic rise in heroin-related deaths and prescription medication use.
While pain-killer abuse, overdose and death are problems for the country at large, they have a disproportionate impact on one population in particular: veterans.
The advocacy organization Human Rights Watch recently published a paper calling for greater availability of evidence-based programs for combatting drug abuse and overdose-related death among veterans.
The organization notes the following alarming statistics:
1.
Greater access to naloxone: Naloxone is a medication that can stop an opioid overdose, thereby preventing death.
By the end of 2014, this medication will be available to all VA hospitals; however, Human Rights Watch notes that not all veterans in need are affiliated with VA hospitals.
They therefore advocate for access to naloxone through broader community resources.
2.
Greater access to methadone and buprenorphine, two powerful drugs that wean opioid addicts off opioids.
This method is controversial, as the drugs used to combat opioid addiction are themselves addictive and come with risks.
However, Human Rights Watch takes the stance that the risks incurred through their use are lesser than those that come with a lack of access to them.
3.
"Housing First.
" This initiative involves providing housing for chronically homeless veterans without consideration of substance abuse issues.
The program is already in place, and Human Rights Watch advocates for expanding it to house more chronically homeless veterans, providing them with the stability necessary to get a handle on substance abuse and mental health issues.
Read the full paper by Human Rights Watch at http://www.
hrw.
org/node/126092/section/1.
For many veterans, sacrifice doesn't end with their terms of service in the armed forces.
Some sacrifice a life of stability, mental health and physical well-being due to the traumas of combat, and prescription drug addiction, overdose and death are potential tragic results.
While some may disagree with the specific proposals of Human Rights Watch, the statistics cited by the organization point to the need to be proactive concerning the substance abuse risks facing our veterans.
While pain-killer abuse, overdose and death are problems for the country at large, they have a disproportionate impact on one population in particular: veterans.
The advocacy organization Human Rights Watch recently published a paper calling for greater availability of evidence-based programs for combatting drug abuse and overdose-related death among veterans.
The organization notes the following alarming statistics:
- More than 1 million veterans use opioids for pain management
- Nearly half of those use these addictive drugs chronically
- A diagnosis of PTSD or depression leaves veterans four times more likely to abuse alcohol or drugs
- Up to 40% of veterans from the Iraq and Afghanistan wars receive a triple diagnosis of PTSD, chronic pain and traumatic brain injury
- The rate of accidental opioid overdose among veterans is double that of the average population
1.
Greater access to naloxone: Naloxone is a medication that can stop an opioid overdose, thereby preventing death.
By the end of 2014, this medication will be available to all VA hospitals; however, Human Rights Watch notes that not all veterans in need are affiliated with VA hospitals.
They therefore advocate for access to naloxone through broader community resources.
2.
Greater access to methadone and buprenorphine, two powerful drugs that wean opioid addicts off opioids.
This method is controversial, as the drugs used to combat opioid addiction are themselves addictive and come with risks.
However, Human Rights Watch takes the stance that the risks incurred through their use are lesser than those that come with a lack of access to them.
3.
"Housing First.
" This initiative involves providing housing for chronically homeless veterans without consideration of substance abuse issues.
The program is already in place, and Human Rights Watch advocates for expanding it to house more chronically homeless veterans, providing them with the stability necessary to get a handle on substance abuse and mental health issues.
Read the full paper by Human Rights Watch at http://www.
hrw.
org/node/126092/section/1.
For many veterans, sacrifice doesn't end with their terms of service in the armed forces.
Some sacrifice a life of stability, mental health and physical well-being due to the traumas of combat, and prescription drug addiction, overdose and death are potential tragic results.
While some may disagree with the specific proposals of Human Rights Watch, the statistics cited by the organization point to the need to be proactive concerning the substance abuse risks facing our veterans.
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