The opioid epidemic has taken a huge toll on the United States. While opioid-related deaths are on the decline, thousands of people are still dying from opioid overdoses every single year.
Most people think of heroin and fentanyl when they think of opioids, but this class of drugs also includes prescription medications like hydrocodone (Vicodin), oxycodone (OxyContin), and morphine. While many people rely on prescription opioids for pain management, they are still frequently abused by patients.
This infographic from YourLawyer.com provides state-by-state details on opioid overdose deaths per capita as well as prescription rates. While West Virginia and Pennsylvania have the highest rates of opioid-related deaths, states like Alabama, Arkansas, and Tennessee have much higher rates of opioid prescriptions. For every 100 people in Alabama, there are 107.2 opioid prescriptions.
While we continue to cope with the opioid epidemic on a national scale, there is still much to be done to get this devastating crisis under control.
