The opioid epidemic has turned into a full-blown national crisis, although the federal government continues to delay action.

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President Donald Trump declared the opioid epidemic a public health emergency, and while he talks a tough game, has not taken forceful action. With the uphill spike in opioid deaths in recent years, life expectancy declined in 2016 for the second straight year, something that has not happened since the 1960s, according to the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette. “This is a solvable problem, and through philanthropy we can make some progress. But real success requires much bolder leadership - and a far greater sense of urgency - from both elected officials and industry leaders,” said the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette.  

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There are multiple steps which can lead the crisis closer to a solution.

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Doctors need to cease the overprescription of opioids, especially when non-addictive painkillers would be equally effective. There have already been steps taken to educate doctors, and the prescription rate has been declining since its peak in 2010, although it remains nearly three times what it was in 1999, according to the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette. FDA commissioner Scott Gottlieb is considering only allowing doctors who complete specialized education in pain management to prescribe opioids for more than a few days. Some states have already limited the size of certain opioid prescriptions.

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Similar to when CVS stopped selling cigarettes and tobacco products in 2014, the company has recently moved to limit coverage for opioid prescriptions. These companies exist to promote better lifestyles, and there has been talk of other similar companies following in the footsteps of CVS.

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Too often, those who overdose are not offered long-term treatment. Many patients walk out of the hospital already hooked on opioids and desperate for their next hit. While there are treatment centers, most patients who have become addicted are unwilling to admit they have a problem and admit themselves into rehab, and often require third party intervention. Opioid addictions are often deadly, with many patients overdosing several times before, they meet an unpleasant end. According to the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette, “Massachusetts Governor Charlie Baker has proposed requiring overdose patients to be sent to treatment centers for up to three days in hopes of convincing them to accept longer-term treatment.”

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However with all the controversy involved with opioid misuse, there are still many opioids that have been proven to help people recover and many researchers are still developing better medical data to help fight addictions.

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The biggest step towards a solution could come from ceasing the importation of heroin, and fentanyl. All of these steps come with a cost, but little effort has been made thus far by the federal government to actually implement any real steps. “Local and state agencies bear most of the burden of this crisis, but no one has yet analyzed the extent of the assistance they need,” says the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette. With a multi step plan in place, a change in the epidemic may arrive, possibly ending it for good.