Opioid Abuse Impact On the Rise

The opioid epidemic sweeping the U.S. is far costlier than once thought, with the economic impact of the crisis exceeding half a trillion dollars – and the rural parts of the nation aren’t immune from its effects.
The epidemic cost the American economy $504 billion in 2015, which was the equivalent of 2.8 percent of gross domestic product that year – that’s according to a new report by White House economists. The findings come less than a month after the Trump administration declared widespread opioid abuse a public health emergency while stopping short of freeing up federal disaster funds to tackle the problem.
Close to home, though, the opioid crisis feels and looks a little different. While there are no numbers to determine how the epidemic is affecting Park County economically, Cody police chief Chuck Baker says the numbers are certainly on the rise.

When asked about the reason that more people are using opioid drugs, he says that it’s primarily an issue of supply and demand.

Baker says that the impact of drug use in general in Park County affects children the most. He cited a recent incident in which a household was raided and several adults were arrested, but a number of children were living in the home and were subject to neglect.
He said that the number one thing that Park County residents can do is, if you see something, say something. He says the best thing that can happen is that drug users and abusers get the correct help.