America is currently in the midst of a serious opioid crisis and rural communities in the Central Valley have been hit especially hard. Nationwide, the number of drug overdose deaths has increased sixfold in the last twenty years, and opioid addiction is recognized as one of the biggest reasons for this tragic state of affairs.
These days, most people have a friend or family member impacted or have been impacted by this crisis themselves, and California’s political leaders have so far failed to take truly effective action.
Opioids are highly addictive — common opioids you likely have heard of include Norco and Oxycontin. Growing awareness of the risks of these drugs has led doctors to prescribe opioids less frequently, but more work remains to be done. In 2020, prescription medications accounted for twenty-one percent of all opioid-related deaths, and prescribing levels remain concerning at 37.5 opioid prescriptions per 100 persons in 2023. With opioid-related fatalities increasing by a staggering 67% between 2017 and 2023, the time for legislative action is now.
This crisis disproportionately impacts vulnerable populations in rural communities like the Central Valley, where healthcare infrastructure is severely limited. Many doctors and patients default to opioids as the primary means of pain relief, despite the potential long-term risks of addiction.
That’s why we need to pass legislation that ensures patients have better access to the many FDA-approved non-opioid pain management alternatives already available. Though less risky treatments exist, healthcare professionals need more support to widely implement them when treating severe pain, allowing them to effectively manage their patients’ discomfort without the risks of misuse, abuse, and addiction.
On behalf of my constituents, I am urging Governor Newsom and Central Valley lawmakers to work together and address the critical issue of pain management among at-risk populations.
Ideal legislation would guarantee that the cost Californians pay for non-opioid treatments is on par with what they would pay for generic opioid pain medications. By ensuring equal costs, those most at risk will be able to choose the options that work best for them without having to worry about financial barriers.
State policy can save lives by stopping addiction before it starts. The solutions exist for those struggling with pain to receive the safe, compassionate care they deserve. Now, it’s time for legislative leaders in Sacramento to act.
