THE OPIOID EPIDEMIC
Every day, more than 115 people in the United States die after overdosing on opioid medications (Oxycodone, OxyContin® hydromorphone, fentanyl, morphine). The misuse of and addiction to opioids—including prescription pain relievers, heroin, and synthetic opioids such as fentanyl—is a serious national crisis that affects public health as well as social and economic welfare. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention estimates that the total “economic burden” of prescription opioid misuse alone in the United States is $78.5 billion a year, including the costs of healthcare, lost productivity, addiction treatment, and criminal justice involvement. (Source: CDC/NCHS)
MENTAL ILLNESS CRISIS
- Serious mental illness costs America $193.2 billion in lost earnings per year.
- Mood disorders, including major depression, dysthymic disorder, and bipolar disorder, are the third most common cause of hospitalization in the U.S. for both youth and adults aged 18–44.
- More than 90% of children who die by suicide have a mental health condition.
- Each day an estimated 18-22 veterans die by suicide.
MENTAL ILLNESS CRISIS
Everett Stern is the CEO and Intelligence Director of Tactical Rabbit, a private intelligence agency that provides clients with actionable intelligence. He is a former U.S. Senate candidate, and made international headlines as a government whistleblower who helped uncover one of the biggest banking scandals ever.
