Opioid Prescriptions Drop in 2017

(Summer 2018) Due to legislation at both the state and federal levels, the number of prescribed opioids fell by 10% from 2016 to 2017. This is part of a five-year trend, as physicians have curtailed writing such prescriptions. Additionally, the number of individuals prescribed opioids for the first time dropped almost 9% between 2016 and 2017.

Although prescription opioid mortalities are receding, drug fatalities are still climbing dramatically. Cartels have now switched their focus to less-expensive (and more deadly) opioid alternatives such as heroin and fentanyl.

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