The Drug Problem Must Be Treated as a Health Problem instead of a Criminal One.

In the last 15 years, the percentage of deaths caused by drug use has more than quadrupled, but the United States government are only just starting to address it as a health crisis. Drug overdose is the leading cause for Americans under 50 and are rising faster than ever thanks to opioids. For too long, opioid users were treated as deplorables who made bad decisions as opposed to individuals in need of medical treatment.

Opioids are a vital component of vital medicine that have improved the quality of life for many patients in the United States. Some of the ways to address the problem include state prescription drug monitoring programs, re-examining the way our medical system manages pain, effective treatment available, safe injection sites, and drug checking services. Overall, the situation in the United States shows the importance of addressing the problem as health problem instead of criminalizing it, which is still a problem for certain drugs and drug-users.