Wicked Problem:

The misuse of Opioids

in the USA
By: Kate Luna
Psych 1010
What are Opioids?
Opioids are a type of drug or
substance that is used to relieve
pain. The effects are similar to
morphine or anesthesia.
The Problem
The problem with opioids is that people
abuse them. There are many people who
don’t use them the way that they’re
supposed to. Which then results in an
overdose or worse case scenario, death.
Audience
My audience is basically everyone. From adolescence to adult (children
as well because some might overdose without knowing the
consequences). Many people overdose because they are depressed and
they want to end that, because they are bullied (adolescents),
socio-economic status, etc.
Statistics
● A data from 2018 shows that everyday, 128 people in the US die
after overdosing on opioids
● About 1 in 8 adolescents and young adults are prescribed opioids
each year
● Roughly 21-29% of patients with prescribed opioids for chronic
pain misuse them
● About 80% of people who use heroin, first misused prescription
opioids
Graphs
Types of Opioids Side Effects (when being misused/overdosed)

● Codeine ● Difficult to breath

● Fentanyl ● Overly energetic
● Hydrocodone ● Losing interest in activities
● Hydromorphone ● Sleeping at odd times
● Meperidine ● Being sad
● Methadone ● When overdosed, face turns
● Morphine pale
● Oxycodone ● Fingernails or lips turn to a
● Heroin purple or blue color
Ideas/Solutions
● For Doctors, don’t prescribe more pills than is needed, even if
the patient request more. Do tests to make sure that they’re
not in any actual pain.
● People can call SAMHSA’s National Hotline which is available
24/7: 1-800-662-HELP (4357)
● Let others help you when they see you need help
● Don’t use opioids as a way to escape something, talk to a
friend, a teacher, a therapist,etc…
● Try to use non-opioid medication or non medication
approaches like meditation to avoid substance abuse
● Go to Rehab
Short Clip
 Work Cited
http://web.a.ebscohost.com.libprox1.slcc.edu:2048/ehost/pdfviewer/pdfviewer?vid=8&sid=4eea1ee
7-2e0c-45a8-bf21-1fb4fe3157e3%40sdc-v-sessmgr02

https://www.drugabuse.gov/drug-topics/opioids/opioid-overdose-crisis

https://www.cdc.gov/injury/features/prescription-drug-overdose/index.html

http://web.a.ebscohost.com.libprox1.slcc.edu:2048/ehost/pdfviewer/pdfviewer?vid=12&sid=4eea1e
e7-2e0c-45a8-bf21-1fb4fe3157e3%40sdc-v-sessmgr02

https://labblog.uofmhealth.org/rounds/opioid-overdose-risk-factors-for-teens-college-aged-youth-mi
rror-adults

https://www.jsad.com/page/news/mar19b

https://www.who.int/news-room/fact-sheets/detail/opioid-overdose