The Opioid Epidemic in Numbers: A Meta-Analytic Review of Mortality, findings, and Implications for Prevention

The opioid crisis in North America, particularly the United States and Canada, has been characterized by increasing methadone distribution, overdose deaths and diversion, although recent efforts have seen declines in some areas. Canada’s prescription opioid dispensing increased until 2012, after which areas such as Ontario saw significant declines. The United States experienced a staggering 345% increase in opioid-related deaths from 2001-2016, heavily affecting people aged 25-34. This growing epidemic is further highlighted by the U.S. National Survey, which shows that 8.9% of Americans aged 12 or older engaged in illicit drug use recently. Research links opioid sales to overdose deaths, highlighting the dangers of inappropriate prescription practices. To address this, Medication-Assisted Treatment (MAT), behavioral therapies and support groups are promoted. Anti-stigma interventions such as acceptance and commitment therapy and motivational interviewing have been shown to be effective. A consistent pattern observed in cities such as Philadelphia and San Francisco indicate that young heroin addicts often switch from pharmaceutical opioids to heroin, driven by the economics of drug supply. To address opioid use disorders, primary care has recognized MAT as critical, with new innovative models such as multi-level care and stakeholder engagement. Nevertheless, barriers such as stigma and lack of expertise pose challenges, highlighting the urgent need for refined strategies and models tailored to different primary care settings.