Washington State is grappling with policy issues aimed at limiting the negative impacts associated with prescription opiate use. Local officials and agencies are responding to national reports of increased deaths involving prescrescription opiates, as well as to increased use of two medications, methadone and buprenorphine, which are used both for treating pain and in treatment of heroin addiction. Newly available data provide some insights:
- Three recent surveys indicate prescription-type opiate use appears to be a particular problem among young adults in Washington State.
- Prescribing, drug treatment, mortality and youth survey data suggest that prescription-type opiate use and abuse are relatively common compared to other substances across Washington State’s 39 counties.
- Emergency department and mortality data indicate both a range of motivations for using and sources of prescription-type opiates.
A recent publication by researchers at the University of Washington and Public Health-Seattle & King County summarizes the relevant data and policy issues. The Use & Abuse of Prescription-Type Opiates in Washington State (ADAI Research in Brief, March 2007).
