The Advisory Council on Heroin and Opioid Prevention and Education says there were 455 opioid-related deaths in 2018, an increase from the previous year. Council chair Dr. James Hussey says deaths continue to climb, despite Louisiana doctors writing fewer opioid prescriptions.
“As prescriptions are going down, the responsiveness that we’ve had has not been sufficient really to curve the opioid overdose deaths in Louisiana,” said Hussey.
In 2018, there were 455 opioid-related deaths, accounting for 34% of the state’s overdose deaths. Jefferson Parish had the leading number of deaths with 137. In addition to fewer prescriptions, Hussey says there is an increase in the number of prescriptions for drugs to get users off of opioids, but there is more to do.
“Look into some other things like prevention and education and looking at some alternatives to opioids for pain management for people,” said Hussey.
There has been an increase in the number of people enrolled in substance abuse treatment. Hussey says there is a stigma that comes with dealing with opioid addicts from both the perspective of caregivers and the addicts themselves.
“Some cases, practitioners are reluctant to treat people with opioid use disorders. Sometimes, the people themselves are reluctant to seek treatment. They buy into the stigma,” said Hussey.
Overdoses involving prescribed opioids are down for the first time in five years. The increase in overall deaths is attributed in part to illegal fentanyl pouring into the state.
