The Opioid Crisis Threatens The Fabric Of Our Society. Here's What To Do About It [Infographic]

Opioids are a class of drug that acts on the opioid receptors in the brain, making people “feel good” temporarily and escape the miserable reality of their lives. However, like many drugs, opioids are both highly addictive and dangerous. A person who relies on opioids to take away their pain (either physical or psychological) puts themselves at risk of respiratory failure and death.

The authorities recognize the importance of tackling the opioid epidemic: it’s damaging families and costing the economy a tremendous amount of money. But how exactly to deal with the issue remains a mystery for many policymakers. What we need is a clear direction on what we should be doing.

Solving the crisis is made difficult by the fact that many things need to happen simultaneously to make a difference. Not only do doctors need to stop overprescribing opioid-containing drugs to patients, but they also need to be aware of the kinds of drugs that they should be prescribing when presented with a case of a patient who has overdosed.

Doctors and the medical establishment also needs to do a better job of marketing how people can prevent drug abuse and be aware of overdosing. The medical community is reluctant to embrace powerful communication tools, like social media.

Check out the following infographic. It makes the case that we need to take six steps as a society to combat the opioid abuse epidemic. It also shows how taking an advanced course in public health can give you the skills to take on this national issue.