Last Updated on September 24, 2025
America’s Opioid Crisis: A National Emergency?
At a Glance: America’s Opioid Crisis
- The opioid epidemic has been declared a public health emergency, with overdose deaths surpassing car crashes and gun homicides combined.
- Opioid overdoses have quadrupled since 1999, with more than 115 Americans dying daily as of 2017.According to the CDC, in 2023 there were nearly 80,000 deaths involving opioids — making up about 76% of all drug overdose deaths in that year.
- Declaring a national emergency can unlock federal resources, expand treatment access, and strengthen prevention measures.
- The crisis impacts families, communities, and healthcare systems nationwide, highlighting the urgent need for effective addiction treatment and long-term recovery solutions.
Table of Contents
Earlier this week, NPR published an article about a White House commission report that was released, urging President Trump to declare America’s opioid crisis a national emergency.1 The opioid crisis is considered by some to be a public health emergency and the article highlights the disturbing fact that drug overdoses now kill more people every year than gun homicides and car crashes combined.
So what would declaring a national emergency do and how would it combat the opioid crisis in America? This blog will answer these questions, as well as a few others you may have.
Statistics on Opioid Overdoses and Abuse in America
- The number of opioid overdoses in America has quadrupled since 1999.2
- In 2017, more than 115 Americans died every day from an opioid overdose.3
- From 1999 to 2016, more than 630,000 people died from a drug overdose.3
- Opioid overdoses accounted for more than 42,000 deaths in 2016, more than any previous year on record.4
- More than six out of 10 drug overdose deaths involve an opioid.5
- Although there has not been an overall change in the amount of pain Americans reported, the amount of prescription opioids being sold in America have nearly quadrupled since 1999.3
- About 21 to 29 percent of patients prescribed opioids for chronic pain misuse them.11
- About 80 percent of people who use heroin first misused prescription opioids.11
- Opioid overdoses increased 30 percent from July 2016 through September 2017 in 52 areas in 45 states.11
- The Midwestern region saw opioid overdoses increase 70 percent from July 2016 through September
- According to the CDC, in 2023 there were nearly 80,000 deaths involving opioids — making up about 76% of all drug overdose deaths in that year.
- From 2019 to 2022, opioid-involved overdose deaths rose from ~49,860 to ~81,806, before slipping slightly to 79,358 in 2023.
- The decline from 2022 to 2023 marked the first annual drop since 2018 in opioid-involved fatalities.
- In 2024, provisional CDC estimates suggest a 27% decline in total drug overdose deaths — and opioid-related deaths also fell, to around 54,743.
- Still, overdose deaths remain alarmingly high: in the 12-month period ending March 2025, the U.S. saw around 77,600 overdose fatalities (≈ 213 deaths per day) — including but not limited to opioids.
What Is an Opioid Overdose?
Opioid drugs affect the area of the brain that regulates breathing. Therefore, when a person takes too much of an opioid or uses opioids with alcohol or sedatives, they may experience severe symptoms such as pinpoint pupils, unconsciousness, and respiratory depression. These symptoms are known as the “opioid overdose triad” and can result in death.
Those most at risk for opioid overdose are people who have a reduced tolerance (due to recent detox, incarceration, or addiction treatment), people taking high doses of prescription opioids, people who inject opioids, people who have medical conditions, and people who are using opioids and alcohol or sedatives simultaneously. Although not all opioid overdoses are deadly, the risk of death is highest under the above-mentioned conditions.
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What Is Naloxone and How Does It Work?
Naloxone is a solution that is injected or sprayed into the nose to prevent or reverse the effects of an opioid overdose. It is an opioid antagonist and has not been shown to produce any tolerance or physical/psychological dependence. It is a temporary drug and its effects wear off within 20-90 minutes.
Why Declare a National Emergency?
Declaring a national emergency would give Health and Human Services (HHS) the ability to grant Medicaid waivers to states, which would provide more funding for inpatient drug treatment. Additionally, declaring a national emergency would allow the HHS to negotiate lower prices for Naloxone which would help state and local authorities make it more widely available.
The interim report released by the White House commission also proposes using federal funds to expand the use of methadone and buprenorphine within medically-assisted drug treatment programs to help aid recovery and prevent relapse. As a result, this proposed action could potentially reduce the number of non-fatal and fatal opioid overdoses.
Are There Any Possible Negative Effects of Declaring a National Emergency?
The article published by NPR notes that some individuals are worried that declaring a national emergency would create a new version of the “war on drugs” declared by President Nixon in 1971. This well-known initiative and its drug policies resulted in claims of Congress passing overly excessive drug sentencing laws as well as the unfair targeting of minority communities. Some people also worry that those struggling with addiction may also be affected by heightened enforcement.
What Else Can Be Done to Prevent Opioid Overdose Deaths?
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention and the World Health Organization have recommended several ways we can prevent opioid overdose deaths. These include:
- Improve opioid prescribing practices by reducing unnecessary or inappropriate opioid prescriptions and limiting over-the-counter opioid sales
- Increase access and availability of evidence-based substance abuse treatment
- Expand access and use of naloxone
- Utilize prescription drug monitoring program on the state level to help prevent drug abuse
How Nova Recovery Center Helps Individuals Overcome Opioid Addiction
Nova Recovery Center provides comprehensive treatment programs designed to address the complex challenges of opioid addiction and abuse. With a focus on long-term recovery, our center combines evidence-based therapies with holistic care to support the mind, body, and spirit. Each client receives an individualized treatment plan tailored to their unique needs, ensuring the best chance for sustained sobriety. Our programs include medically supervised detox, intensive therapy, relapse prevention strategies, and peer support that foster accountability and healing. At Nova, we emphasize education and life skills training to help clients rebuild confidence and independence. We also recognize the importance of community, offering group support and 12-step engagement to create lasting connections. For those struggling with chronic relapse, our extended care programs provide the structure and consistency needed to break free from the cycle of addiction. By addressing both the physical dependence and underlying emotional issues, Nova Recovery Center equips individuals with the tools to achieve lasting recovery and a healthier future.
Frequently Asked Questions About America’s Opioid Crisis and Treatment Options
What is the opioid epidemic?
The CDC defines the opioid overdose epidemic as a decades‑long rise in opioid‑involved deaths, with three distinct waves driven first by prescription opioids, then heroin, and most recently by illicitly made fentanyl. In 2023, opioid deaths fell year‑over‑year for the first time since 2018, but remain very high.
How many people die from opioid overdoses each year?
In 2023, the U.S. recorded nearly 80,000 opioid‑involved overdose deaths; opioids accounted for most drug overdose fatalities that year.
What are the signs of an opioid overdose?
Classic signs include pinpoint pupils, unconsciousness, and slow or stopped breathing; other signs can include very small pupils, pale/clammy skin, and blue or purple lips or fingernails. Call 911 immediately.
What should you do if someone is overdosing on opioids?
Call 911, administer naloxone if available, and provide rescue breathing/CPR as instructed until help arrives. Early bystander action saves lives.
What is fentanyl and why is it so dangerous?
Fentanyl is a powerful synthetic opioid (50–100× morphine). Illegally made fentanyl (IMF) is the current main driver of U.S. overdose deaths; counterfeit pills frequently contain potentially lethal doses.
Is fentanyl being mixed with other drugs (e.g., xylazine)?
Yes. The CDC and DEA report xylazine (a non‑opioid sedative) is increasingly mixed with fentanyl and other drugs, raising overdose risks; naloxone still should be given, but it does not reverse xylazine’s effects.
Can naloxone reverse a fentanyl overdose?
Yes. Naloxone reverses overdoses from opioids including fentanyl; due to potency, multiple doses may be needed.
How can I get naloxone?
The FDA has approved over‑the‑counter naloxone nasal spray; it’s also available via pharmacies, community programs, and health departments. Check local options and carry it if you or someone you know is at risk.
What treatments are available for opioid use disorder (OUD)?
FDA‑approved medications for OUD (MOUD)—buprenorphine, methadone, and naltrexone—are safe and effective when used as prescribed, and are the standard of care alongside counseling and recovery supports.
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Medical Disclaimer
The information on this page is for educational purposes only and is not a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. Do not start, stop, or change any medication or treatment plan without guidance from a licensed healthcare provider. If you are experiencing a medical emergency, call 911 immediately. For mental health support, call or text 988 to reach the Suicide & Crisis Lifeline (24/7).
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By instituting a policy, we create a standardized approach to how we create, verify, and distribute all content and resources we produce. An editorial policy helps us ensure that any material our writing and clinical team create, both online and in print, meets or exceeds our standards of integrity and accuracy. Our goal is to demonstrate our commitment to education and patient support by creating valuable resources within our realm of expertise, verifying them for accuracy, and providing relevant, respectful, and insightful data to our clients and families.
- Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. (2025, June 9). Understanding the opioid overdose epidemic. U.S. Department of Health & Human Services. https://www.cdc.gov/overdose-prevention/about/understanding-the-opioid-overdose-epidemic.html (Accessed September 24, 2025).
- Garnett, M. F., & Miniño, A. M. (2025). Changes in drug overdose mortality and selected drug type by state: United States, 2022 to 2023. NCHS Health E-Stats. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. https://dx.doi.org/10.15620/cdc/174578 (Accessed September 24, 2025).
- National Institute on Drug Abuse. (2024, August 21). Drug overdose deaths: Facts and figures. National Institutes of Health. https://nida.nih.gov/research-topics/trends-statistics/overdose-death-rates (Accessed September 24, 2025).
- Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration. (2024). Key substance use and mental health indicators in the United States: Results from the 2023 National Survey on Drug Use and Health. U.S. Department of Health & Human Services. https://www.samhsa.gov/data/sites/default/files/reports/rpt47095/National%20Report/National%20Report/2023-nsduh-annual-national.pdf (Accessed September 24, 2025).
- Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration. (2021, March). Evidence-based practices resource center. U.S. Department of Health & Human Services. https://www.samhsa.gov/libraries/evidence-based-practices-resource-center (Accessed September 24, 2025).
- Tanz, L. J., et al. (2025). Drug overdose deaths involving stimulants — United States, 2018–2023. Morbidity and Mortality Weekly Report, 74(32). Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. https://www.cdc.gov/mmwr/volumes/74/wr/mm7432a1.htm (Accessed September 24, 2025).
- White, V. M., & Albert, L. A. (2023). Evaluating diversion and treatment policies for opioid use disorder. arXiv. https://arxiv.org/abs/2311.05076 (Accessed September 24, 2025).
