Across the country, many states have recorded increases in drug overdose deaths from opioids such as oxycodone, heroin, and fentanyl. Alabama has seen a similar rise, which may be related to the rate of opioid prescriptions in the state. Not only can people overdose on prescription opioids, but they may also switch to heroin when they can no longer afford opioid medications.
Alabama has the highest level of prescription opioid use in the country. Doctors wrote 5.8 million prescriptions for opioids in 2015, which is equal to about 1.2 prescriptions per person (significantly higher than the national average, which is 0.71).1
More than 730 people died from drug overdose in Alabama in 2015 alone.2 In Madison County, a June 2017 statement from AL State Rep. Daniels stated there had been 306 overdoses already that year (almost 2 per day) and approximately 37 overdose deaths in the same period.1 Jefferson County had 248 drug overdose deaths in 2016, which was a 12% increase from 2015. Heroin, fentanyl, or a combination of both were involved in 205 of those deaths.3
Alabama also has a high rate of heavy alcohol use, and few people get help for their drinking. From 2010-2014, Alabama’s annual average of past-month heavy alcohol use among adults 21 or older was above the national average (7.5% vs. 6.7%). During the same time period, only 5.3% of those aged 12 or older with alcohol dependence or abuse received treatment.4
Likewise, only 9.6% of those aged 12 or older who needed treatment for illicit drug dependence or abuse during 2010-2014 received it.4