NPR

Counting The Heavy Cost Of Care In The Age Of Opioids

The city of Baltimore says it needs more money to distribute a lifesaving opioid overdose medication. And a recent study finds the cost of treating overdoses in U.S. hospital ICUs has risen sharply.
An overdose rescue kit handed out at an overdose prevention class this summer in New York City includes an injectable form of the drug naloxone.

As deaths from opioid overdoses rise around the country, the city of Baltimore feels the weight of the epidemic.

"I see the impact every single day," says Leana Wen, the city health commissioner. "We have two people in our city dying from overdose every day."

As part of Baltimore's for the opioid overdose drug naloxone, which often comes in a nasal spray, to all city residents in 2015.

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