The VA’s Biggest Problem May Be Prescription Drug Addiction

According to a new report released by Human Rights Watch, more than one million veterans enrolled within the VA primary care system are taking prescription opioids for chronic pain. At the same time, an unprecedented number of veterans are dying as a result of both accidental and intentional drug overdoses.

The report, which was released earlier this month, brings to light the growing concern that veterans of all ages are struggling with pain, which results in chronic use of prescription opioids. It argues that the VA “should remove barriers to ensure access to evidence-based drug dependency treatment and make overdose prevention programs available to veterans in the community.”

One of the primary recommendations of the Human Rights Watch report is a push the availability of naloxone, a prescription medication that reverses the effect of an opioid overdose. This past year naloxone injections were brought to market in an auto-injector under the brand name EVZIO. The pen was designed for individuals without medical training who may need to inject a patient during an opioid overdose situation.

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