Ohio is currently battling an extreme epidemic of opioid overdoses. Opioid is a classification of drugs that relieves pain and in high doses can result in a high, and these types of drugs are highly addictive. Heroin is a popular street drug under the opioid classification, but there are many perscrition drugs that are prescribed after surgery such as hydrocodone, morphine, codeine, and fentanyl (a drug 100% more potent than heroin). The problem is, people are getting prescribed these drugs after surgery, getting hooked and overdosing. The state released that 40% of the deaths due to opiods is due to fentanyl. Opioid are taking the lives of many, even our beloved Prince.
I believe that the pharmaceutical industry and the way the U.S. handles drug addicts is corrupt and does not help patients or in better words, prisoners. I believe opioids should not be prescribed as often, which would lower the amount of addicts over time. Addicts today should be treated like any other person with a problem, not the scum the Earth. The United States should open thousands of more rehab centers. This could help get current addicts back on their feet. Lastly, I believe drug abuse should be decriminalized and not penalized but rehabilitated. This epidemic is taking the lives of not only Ohioans, but people all across America and needs immediate change. This story reminds me of the crack cocaine epidemic that spanned from the mid 1980's to the mid 1990's.
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