Opioid Prescriptions Varied Greatly Across U.S. in 2012: What Does It Mean for North Dakota?

Why it matters locally: While the national report highlights variations in opioid prescribing rates, North Dakotans should be concerned about how these trends have impacted our state. Prescription opioid abuse and overdose have been a growing concern in many rural states, including North Dakota. Understanding where North Dakota stood in relation to other states in 2012 will set the stage to assess how our state has progressed, or regressed, in combating opioid issues over the last decade. Are we part of the problem, below average, or leading the pack? The answer will speak to the health and safety of our residents and the efficacy of related policies.

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Washington, D.C. – Prescription rates for opioid painkillers varied considerably across the United States in 2012, according to a federal health briefing. Public health officials emphasized the link between these prescribing patterns and the ongoing prescription drug overdose epidemic. The briefing highlighted a disparity in the volume of opioid prescriptions written by healthcare providers depending on their location. While the exact figures and contributing factors were discussed in the full briefing, the overall message conveyed was that some states exhibited substantially higher rates of painkiller prescriptions compared to others. The content of the telebriefing focused on the correlation between the overprescribing of these medications and the increase in prescription drug overdoses nationwide. Authorities stated that the variation in prescribing practices underscores a significant factor driving the overdose crisis in the United States.