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9h ago

New Survey Reveals U.S. Illicit Opioid Use Far Higher Than Federal Estimates

Findings suggest 11% of American adults used illicit opioids in the past year, with 7.5% reporting fentanyl use, challenging the accuracy of government data.

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Overview

  • A June 2024 online survey conducted by RAND and USC researchers found illicit opioid use rates significantly higher than federal estimates, with 11% of adults reporting past-year use.
  • The survey reported 7.5% of respondents used illicitly manufactured fentanyl, 25 times the rate reported by the National Survey on Drug Use and Health (NSDUH) in 2022.
  • Researchers attribute discrepancies to methodological differences, including NSDUH's reliance on in-person interviews, which may discourage honest reporting, and differing question phrasing.
  • Illegally manufactured fentanyl remains a major driver of overdose deaths, with polysubstance use becoming increasingly common in the ongoing opioid crisis.
  • Study authors are planning follow-up surveys with improved methodologies to validate findings and enhance real-time tracking of opioid use trends.