Brief History of Opioid Addiction

5.5 million people in the US are currently addicted to opioids.

Every American has been touched by addiction in some way, whether it was an addicted parent or child or in the form of higher health costs, insurance, or taxes. Addiction costs this country in excess of $400 billion a year in lost productivity, healthcare, law enforcement, prison, etc.

This country has been fighting drugs for over 100 years. Drugs such as cocaine and opium have been used as early as 3000-4000 B.C. In 1890 the US Congress passed its first legislation on narcotics by imposing a tax on morphine and opium. Despite over 100 years of diligent law enforcement and legislative deterrents, addiction to opium-derived drugs (opioids) is still common. In fact, a recent household survey concluded that 5.5 million people in the US are currently addicted to opioids. See opioid law timeline.

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This page was last modified on : 05/10/2008