The overuse of Opioid is a public health crisis. Since 1999, opioid-related deaths have significantly increased. According to the CDC report, in 2015 opioid overdose death rate were 33,091. (CDC, 2016). A study reported that the United States spent $78.5 billion annually on opioid, including $28 billion spent for health care. (Florence et al., 2013)
Rudd, R. A., Seth, P., David, F., & and Scholl, L. (2016). Increases in Drug and Opioid-Involved Overdose Deaths-United States 2010–2015. CDC, 65 (50-51), 1445-1452 https://www.cdc.gov/mmwr/volumes/65/wr/mm655051e1.htm
Florence, C. S., Zhou, C., Luo, F., & Xu, L. (2013). The Economic Burden of Prescription Opioid Overdose, Abuse, and Dependence in the United States. Medical Care 54 (10), 901-906
https://www.jointcommission.org/topics/pain_management.aspx
https://www.npr.org/sections/health-shots/2018/03/06/590923149/jump-in-overdoses-shows-opioid-epidemic-has-worsened