1. 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.

2. 36,252 people were killed by guns
In 2015…
36,252 people were killed by guns

3. 37,757 people died in car accidents

4. 52,404 lives were claimed by drug overdoses

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

6. Source: National Center for Health Statistics, CDC Wonder
National Overdose Deaths Number of Deaths from All Drugs, Unites States,
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 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

7. National Overdose Deaths
Most of these deaths (20,101) were related to prescription pain killers
Source:

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

9. 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

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

11. Overdose Deaths Rose in Tandem with Prescription Opioid Sales
Source:

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

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

14. 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

15. 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

16. 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

17. 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%)

18. 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.