Opioids are known as a class of drugs

Running Head: OPIOIDS IN US
OPIOIDS IN UNITED STATES
Name of the Student
Name of the University
Author’s Note

OPIOIDS IN US1
Introduction
Opioids are known as a class of drugs that include fentanyl and heroin, which is illegal
and it is also a prescribed pain reliever such as hydrocone (Viciodin), oxycodone (OxyContin),
morphine, codeine and others. The issue with these drugs is that it is also used as a painkiller,
which is misused by people who want to use it for their addiction purpose because they are also
classified as a street drug known as heroin. The main function of opioids is to block pain signals
that travels from the brain to the other parts of the body and it is used to treat moderate to severe
type of pain. However, the use of Opioids is increasing in United States and it still stays
controversial as it is not labeled as an over the counter pain killer such as Tylenol and Aspirin.
Discussion
United States has been a target of Opioids misuse because an estimation shows that 10.3
million children aged 12 and above in America in the year 2018 were opioid addicts, which
includes 9.9 million prescribed pain killer abusers and 808,000 heroin users. As another
characteristic of opioid is to imitate the pain-reducing properties of opium. The similar qualities
of a narcotic is the reason for opioid being misused and being widely popular for its purpose.
Opioid overdose is becoming a crisis for United States because people are misusing the
prescribed drugs, which is a threat to the wellbeing of the public as well as to the industry of
pharmacology. The demand of opioids is increasing because around 21 to 29% misuse the
prescription of the drugs for chronic pain, 8-12% of people cultivate opioid use disorder and 4-
6% of people who get prescribed opioids transition them into heroin (Drugabuse.gov, 2020). The
state I live in is also affected by the Opioid Epidemic because it is easily available in medical
stores and also prescribed by doctors.