This DossierPlus gives an overview of the opioid epidemic in the United States. The dossier includes chapters on the origins and causes of the epidemic, the human and economic impacts, and progress and solutions to ending the epidemic.

This dossier explains how the opioid epidemic in the U.S. has developed into the crisis that exists today. It explores who is to blame for the epidemic, who has been most impacted, and how recent changes in prescribing behavior for opioids and the use of medical technology can help avoid and treat opioid addiction.