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The statistics are staggering: More than 70,000 people died of a drug overdose in 2017, and 68 percent of those deaths were due to an opioid. Estimates for 2018 show a modest reduction in overdose deaths nationally, but there are still places in the U.S. where overdose deaths are climbing. A decrease in overdose deaths cannot be seen as a victory, but rather as a sign that our efforts are in the right direction and need to continue with the same urgency.
There is still much stigma surrounding substance use and available treatment. Stigma around substance use is a major barrier to long-term recovery from substance-use disorders, and stigma can be overcome through education and knowledge.
Recently, Purdue University worked with members of our...