"2024: The Ongoing Battle Against Opioid Addiction"

The opioid crisis continues to worsen, with overdose deaths involving opioids reaching 80,411 in 2021. Despite effective treatments like medication-assisted treatment (MAT), nearly 90% of those with opioid use disorder lack access to evidence-based care. Stigma, ideological challenges, and punitive regulations contribute to the limited availability of MAT, particularly for marginalized communities. The history of methadone regulation and cultural biases have hindered access to treatment, while harm reduction approaches and innovative interventions, such as bridge clinics and expanding prescribing authority, show promise in addressing barriers to care.