America’s opioid crisis has lately gained attention in the news. In a recent article, Fortune reported that drug overdose deaths as a result of opioid use have risen and the incidence of opioid drug overdose deaths continues to be on the rise.

Between 1999 and 2015, nearly 185,000 people suffered from from opioid-related drug overdose deaths.

CDC Reports Rise in Drug Overdose Deaths from Opioids

A communique released by the Centers for Disease Control (CDC) states that in the United States, two-thirds of all drug overdose deaths came as a result of prescription or illegal opioid use.

According to the CDC, “Overdose deaths increased in all categories of drugs examined for men and women, people ages 15 and older, all races and ethnicities, and across all levels of urbanization.” It was also noted that the sharp increases in deaths included those by synthetic opioids other than methadone, including illicitly manufactured fentanyl (IMF).

In fact, new data from the CDC regarding opioid drug overdose deaths shows that drug overdose deaths rose 21 percent in 2016 compared with the previous year. In addition, the largest age demographic for drug overdose deaths from opioids were individuals aged 25-44.

The CDC Principal Deputy Director Anne Schuchat, M.D., stated that “[a]ll branches of the federal government are working together to reduce the availability of illicit drugs, prevent deaths from overdoses, treat people with substance-use disorders, and prevent people from starting using drugs in the first place.”

Opioid Addiction Drugs

The most common opioid drugs associated with both opioid addiction and opioid drug overdose deaths are hydrocodone (Vicodin, Lorcet, Lortab, Norco), methadone (Methodose, Diskets, Dolophine) and oxycodone (OxyContin, Percocet, Endocet, Roxicet). These are all strong painkillers that, when taken for the short term, are successful in treating pain. However, the risk of addiction, and subsequently abuse, is very high.

The CDC also reports that the drug overdose deaths from synthetic opioids increased in 21 states. Ten states doubled their rates between 2015 to 2016. Of these states, New Hampshire, West Virginia, and Massachusetts had the highest rate of drug overdose deaths from synthetic opioids.

Unfortunately, this opioid epidemic does not only affect adults. The incidence of children admitted to hospitals with opioid-related problems has also risen. A recent study published showed that between 2004 and 2015, the number of children admitted to the hospital with opioid drug overdoses had doubled.

Many believe this is a health crisis for which drug companies bear part of the blame.

Some believe that part of the problem is that opioids are over-promoted by drug companies. Opioids are strong narcotics yet doctors, it has been alleged, over-prescribe them. This has led to an increase in opioid addiction, which in turn, has led to an increase in drug overdose deaths from opioid use.

Many are calling for drug companies to be held accountable for their actions. Lawsuits have been filed against some of America’s largest drug manufacturers. One such lawsuit was filed against Purdue Pharma. Purdue Pharma allegedly marketed their drug, Oxycontin, as a 12-hour pain reliever, which in fact it was not. When the patients’ pain returned, they often turned to taking more of the medication in order to relieve pain.

In general, opioid overdose death lawsuits are filed individually by each plaintiff and are not class actions.

If your loved died from an opioid overdose in the last three years from an addiction that began as a legal opioid prescription from his or her doctor, you may have a legal claim. Get help now by filling out the form on this page for a FREE case evaluation.

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