Fact Sheet
The misuse of and addiction to opiates including heroin and synthetic opioids such as fentanyl is a continued issue for individuals, families, communities, and systems of care in the United States. Opioid Use Disorder (OUD) is defined by the Center for Disease Control as a “problematic pattern of opioid use that causes significant impairment or distress”. OUD has affected approximately 9.4 million adults or 3.7% of the U.S. population in 2022. The issue is pervasive for families throughout the U.S. The 2023 National Survey on Drug Use and Health (NSDUH) report states that approximately 5.4 million adults 18 and older had an opioid use disorder in the past year.
This factsheet details demographic facts related to the ongoing opioid crisis, lists currently instituted policies and law aiming to reduce the demand, supply, and harm associated with OUD, and provides insight into the significant impact of the opioid epidemic on the juvenile and family justice system..