CASA is a leading national addiction policy and research organization CASA is a leading national addiction policy and research organization. For 25 years, we have been working to improve the lives of people impacted by substance use and addiction. We use the latest science to promote effective solutions to prevent and treat addiction.

36,252 people were killed by guns In 2015… 36,252 people were killed by guns

37,757 people died in car accidents

52,404 lives were claimed by drug overdoses

In 2007, Gun Deaths Outpaced Heroin Deaths by 5 to 1

Source: National Center for Health Statistics, CDC Wonder National Overdose Deaths Number of Deaths from All Drugs, Unites States, 2002-2015 This deadly trend has been increasing each year. National Overdose Deaths—Number of Deaths from All Drugs. The figure above is a bar chart showing the total number of U.S. overdose deaths involving all drugs from 2002 to 2015. The chart is overlayed by a line graph showing the number of deaths of females and males. From 2002 to 2015 there was a 2.2-fold increase in the total number of deaths. Source: National Center for Health Statistics, CDC Wonder

National Overdose Deaths Most of these deaths (20,101) were related to prescription pain killers Source: https://www.cdc.gov/drugoverdose/data/

NH ME MA RI CT OH UT WV MD KY TN NM

144 people died today from a drug overdose 52,404 deaths (2015) 33,091 deaths from opioids (91 per day) 144 people died today from a drug overdose

The U.S. is 5% of the world’s population - we consume 80% of the world’s opioid supply the world’s Vicodin

Overdose Deaths Rose in Tandem with Prescription Opioid Sales Source: http://www.pewtrusts.org/en/research-and-analysis/blogs/stateline/2016/03/03/states-cdc-seek-limits-on-painkiller-prescribing

More people use prescription opioids than smoke cigarettes, cigars, or use smokeless tobacco

Prevalence of Addiction Addiction affects 40 million Americans That is more than: heart disease (27 million) diabetes (26 million) or cancer (19 million)

4 out of 5 people who use heroin started with prescription pain killers Every day, 1,100 teens misuse painkillers for the first time Every day, 370 people, including 30 teens, try heroin for the first time In 2015, 21,000 teens used heroin 6,000 teens are addicted to heroin 9 out of 10 people who have addiction began using substances before age 18

Economic Cost of Addiction Consequences of substance use & addiction cost government $467.7 billion Health care =$207.2 billion Justice = $47.0 billion Education = $33.9 billion Child & Family assistance = $46.7 billion Mental health & disabilities = $11.8 B * 2013

Economic Cost of Addiction Drug abuse costs employers $81 billion annually. - NCADD Nearly half of the 7 million unemployed working age men take pain medications (2/3 take prescription opioids). - Krueger * 2013 14.8% of people who are unemployed have SUD (compared to 8.1% of the general population) - NSDUH

War on Drugs Led to Mass Incarceration 85% of the U.S. prison population is either addicted (65%) or their lives were affected by substance use (20%)

Addiction is a Disease NOT a Moral Failing Addiction is defined as a disease by most medical associations, including the AMA. Like diabetes, cancer and heart disease, addiction is caused by a combination of behavioral, environmental and biological factors. Addiction involves changes in the functioning of the brain and body. These changes may be brought on by drug use or may pre-exist. Genetic risks factors account for about 50% of the likelihood that an individual will develop addiction.