The Louisiana Summit, Louisiana’s Opioid Crisis: Its Realities and Solutions is a conference aimed at informing Louisiana citizens about the growing epidemic of opioid misuse and abuse in the state of Louisiana. Prescription drug and opioid abuse is a significant public health concern affecting millions of people across America and thousands of Louisianans every day. Our Summit is an opportunity for behavioral health professionals, healthcare workers, law enforcement, federal, state & local officials, clergy, and advocates to come together and collaborate on how to meet this complex societal issue with action.
In 2016, Louisiana ranked 32nd in overall drug-related deaths. That same year, Ouachita Parish ranked 32nd in the state for opioid-related deaths.
From 2014 to 2016, opioid-related deaths in Louisiana rose from 217 to 531. A 45.7 percent increase.
110 opioid prescriptions per 100 Louisiana residents were prescribed in 2016. This number is projected to decrease by 1.8 percent in 2017.
Source: 2017 Louisiana Health Report Card