Fighting the Opioid Crisis in New Hampshire

Two years ago, over 400 people died in the state of New Hampshire due to an opioid overdose. This was an increase from 2011 and the problem continues to be a major issue today. Physicians are prescribing the drug to patients and patients are becoming addicted to the drug, which is harming families as well as the individual. The addiction becomes so bad that the patients end up taking too much and overdosing. Law enforcement, fire departments, EMS, and drug defense attorneys are all seeing an influx of opioid related issues.

Opioids are prescription medications that are used to alleviate pain but also include such illegal drugs as heroin. In New Hampshire a crisis has occurred with individuals using street fentanyl, prescription drugs, and other opioids at an ever-increasing rate.

The addiction issue has become so severe, that most everyone in the state is affected in some form or fashion. Last year, James Vara, the Advisor to the Governor on Addiction and Behavioral Health, and Governor Maggie Hassan released a report titled The Opiate/Opioid Public Health Crisis. In this report, the crisis response was updated including new strategies to help work on the issue among individuals, families, etc.

The state will now have to find a way to implement such strategies and build upon them in order to move forward and away from this drug crisis. The state's Bureau of Drug and Alcohol Services are working with groups to increase the awareness of the ever-present dangers of opioids from abuse to overdose.

Options Available for Those Taking Drugs

Naloxone, a reversal medication of opioid overdose is being handed out to treatment centers as well as firefighters and EMS in order to try and stop overdose deaths. Treatment services are becoming more readily available with such centers as ARC Detox and Rally Point. All areas are being covered in order to try and stop the opioid crisis from moving forward and assisting those who are in need of treatment.

Even the Office of the Attorney General of the state is becoming involved. The AG filed a complaint this month against Purdue Pharma, a company that manufactures opioids. The complaint states that the company has been deceptive in describing their opioids in order to create a market that is sustainable. The lawsuit states that the company did not fully disclose the addictive risks of the drugs and how individuals would be affected. Doctors have stated that representatives of Purdue Pharma would visit their offices two to three times a week to push the drugs.

The use of opioids is at an all-time high in the state, be it prescription types or illegal street drugs. The overall goal is to see such issues as addiction and overdose eliminated. Hospitals and health care facilities are being asked to work together to not only limit the opioids they prescribe but take great care in researching and following through with patients in order to help the patient avoid addiction or overdose.

If you or someone you know has been affected by opioids, you may have a legal claim. Contact a local attorney to find out more and to see if you deserve compensation based on your case.