Results for America Can Help Policymakers Get Started
The opioid epidemic has left a path of devastation and trauma across the United States in large urban cities and small rural towns. Approximately 6.1 million people over the age of 12 in the United States suffer from Opioid Use Disorder (OUD) each year and in 2023, over 81,000 people in the U.S. died from an opioid overdose.
In the last few years, settlements have been reached with manufacturers, distributors and pharmacies resulting in over $55 billion to be distributed over the next two decades to state and local governments to support a variety of strategies to fight the opioid crisis.
Not all strategies are created equal
While there are numerous strategies that have been proven to prevent, mitigate and respond to drug use, there are indications that settlement funds are not being spent on these strategies. With ample resources and evidence of effectiveness, governments need to take concrete actions to invest in what works. The stakes — and opportunities — are tremendous.
Using Evidence Can Save Lives
The ongoing opioid settlements present a critical opportunity to intervene in this epidemic and address these losses. Our recent analysis estimated that if 50% of opioid settlement funds were specifically directed towards evidence-based solutions, we could expect:
- Nearly 120,000 fewer people misusing prescription or illegally made fentanyl.
- Over 90,000 fewer opioid overdose deaths.
- Over 75,000 people remaining opioid-free.
While there is considerable knowledge about what works for treating and preventing opioid addiction, this information is often scattered and hard for non-academic audiences to understand. It also doesn’t focus on how to implement these solutions, which can make it less useful for policymakers. Without clear guidance, decision-makers may continue funding what’s been done in the past or choose programs supported by the loudest voices instead of the programs most likely to succeed.
Sometimes getting started is the hardest part, but Results for America can help. We have compiled leading examples of how other communities are investing their dollar settlements and how to get started prioritizing evidence as you invest.
These settlement funds have the potential to bring healing and hope to devated communities. To help rebuild families and save lives, it is critical that these dollars are invested in programs and services that have been proven to work.
Resources
- Investing Opioid Settlement Dollars in Proven Solutions Can Save Lives
- Estimated Impact of Investing Opioid Settlement Funds in Evidence-based Solutions
We’re Here to Help
If you have questions or need support, please contact [email protected].