The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) launched Prescription Drug Overdose: Prevention for States, a new program to combat the ongoing prescription drug overdose epidemic in the U.S. $20 million will go to 16 states, providing the resources and expertise to prevent deaths caused by prescription drugs.
In a press release, Secretary Sylvia M. Burwell stated, “With this funding, states can improve their ability to track the problem, work with insurers to help providers make informed prescribing decisions, and take action to combat this epidemic.”
CDC selected 16 states to receive program funding through a competitive application process: Arizona, California, Illinois, Kentucky, Nebraska, New Mexico, North Carolina, Ohio, Oklahoma, Oregon, Pennsylvania, Rhode Island, Tennessee, Utah, Vermont, and Wisconsin.
States will receive annual awards between $750,000 to $1 million each year over the next four years to focus on prescription drug overdose education, prevention and response.
Prescription Drug Overdose Is A Nationwide Epidemic
Overdose deaths from prescription drugs have quadrupled in the U.S. since 1999. In 2013, more than 16,000 people died from prescription opioid overdoses. Heroin deaths have also increased. In 2013, 8,000 heroin deaths were reported – a nearly three-fold increase since 2010.
Since 1999, the amount of opioids prescribed and sold in the United States has increased four-fold. However, the amount of pain reported by Americans has not changed overall.
Long-term Plans to Reverse the Prescription Drug Overdose Epidemic
“The Prescription drug overdose epidemic is tragic and costly, but can be reversed,” said CDC Director Tom Frieden, MD, MPH. “Because we can protect people from becoming addicted to opioids, we must take fast action now, with real-time tracking programs, safer prescribing practices, and rapid response. Reversing this epidemic will require programs in all 50 states.”
In 2016, CDC plans to launch a nationwide program that will focus on prevention and prescription drug overdose surveillance. Secretary Burwell submitted a request to the President’s Budget for 2016 for the necessary resources needed to expand CDC’s efforts to all 50 states.
For more information: Prescription Drug Overdose: Prevention for States.
