Opioid epidemic still poses critical risk in U.S.

By Nadia Paschal

The opioid epidemic has been a serious problem plaguing this country for years now, and it has shown no signs of stopping. 

Thousands of people across the United States are affected by this crisis, whether that’s through experiencing addiction personally or through knowing someone struggling. I have had experience with this crisis and have seen how it affects people.

OxyContin first started being prescribed in the ‘90s, as pharmaceutical companies pushed doctors to prescribe it to patients with cancer, arthritis or other ailments that caused high levels of pain.

Since then, OxyContin has expanded into other drug markets, being found in drugs such as heroin, cocaine and even cannabis. If mixed with other drugs, those who are already dealing with addiction may experience an even worse effect, leaving them more susceptible to an overdose.

There was a 2.2% increase of suspected opioid overdoses in 2022 compared to 2021, according to a report put out by the New York State Department of Health.

A common form of opioid is fentanyl. It’s a synthetic opioid that is typically prescribed to manage severe pain. However, because it is cheap and easy to produce, it has found its way into other drugs, ones that college students are especially likely to use. 

In fact, the leading cause of death for 18 to 45 year-olds in 2021 was fentanyl overdose according to Stanford student affairs. 

The damage done in rural communities is easier to see because of smaller populations. It is also often more personal, as you’re more likely to know those affected. 

In my first year on campus, my friend’s roommate was hanging out with some friends of hers and smoking weed. Later that night, her roommate was dropped off at her dorm by her friends, who all quickly left.

The weed was laced with fentanyl. She was experiencing a seizure and had to go to the hospital. She was never the same after that night, and it was only her first week at college. She dropped out not long after this incident.

I see it all the time at my part-time job. Customers come in sweating with dilated pupils and slurred speech, all common symptoms of opiate use. Most of the time they are kinder to me than those who do not struggle with this issue. It breaks my heart every time they come in.

I, like many others, have heard the same spiel time and time again. We’ve been through the D.A.R.E. program, seen the presentations and sat through those cautionary tales our parents gave before going off to college. 

It wasn’t until I saw how dire and real the effects opioids have on people that I started taking it seriously because it’s not just a myth.

Be careful. Look out for your friends. We are not invincible, nor immune to addiction or harm.