Oregon faces a severe opioid epidemic, highlighted by 1,833 overdose deaths in 2023, marking a staggering increase from the prior year. Beyond the rampant illicit drug use making headlines, the article emphasizes the often-ignored issue of overprescription. Prescribing opioids for pain management frequently sets the stage for addiction, as many patients begin their dependency journey through legal prescriptions following medical procedures. The urgent need for alternative pain management strategies is underscored to combat this crisis effectively.
The opioid epidemic continues to devastate Oregon, with overdose deaths reaching 1,833 in 2023 alone. That's 450 more than the previous year.
While much of the public focus has been on illicit opioid use, we must not overlook a critical factor fueling this crisis: the overprescription of opioids for pain management.
Too often, opioid addiction begins with a legal prescription, given to patients after surgery or injury, without sufficient consideration of safer, equally effective alternatives.
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