Israel has a serious opioid problem, stares at addiction epidemic, reveals report
Fentanyl abuse
A report has highlighted that Israel suffers from a serious opioid problem, which might turn into an epidemic, The Times Of Israel reported. The report published by the Taub Center for Social Policy Studies noted that Israel led the world per capita in prescriptions for potent and addictive drugs in 2020. The report is based on several peer-reviewed studies.
The report by the media outlet mentioned that Israel was initially trailing the United States and other countries dealing with opioid epidemics since the late 1990s, but the nation unfortunately caught up in the last decade.
The report mentioned that fentanyl abuse, which is 50 times stronger than heroin and highly addictive, is a major contributor to Israel's current public health crisis.
According to the Taub Centre assessment, the situation is serious but not insurmountable. Experts in public health and addiction are collaborating with the Health Ministry on a three-year plan that incorporates the report's recommendation for a coordinated and integrated national programme, the news outlet added.
As quoted in the report, Prof Nadav Davidovitch said, "The watershed was about 10 years ago, because before that doctors prescribed alternatives and there was less access to opioids."
"It wasn't as easy for patients to get them as is it today," added Davidovitch, who is also the co-author of the report and the Taub Center's principal researcher and health policy programme chair, as well as head of Ben-Gurion University of the Negev's School of Public Health.
)
Putin calls Trump to wish on birthday, both say ‘Israel-Iran war should end’
)
Iran’s Supreme Leader Khamenei ‘not off limits’, says Israeli official
)
‘Very soon, IAF jets over Tehran’: Netanyahu issues fresh WARNING for Iran, says will hit every target of 'Ayatollahs’ regime'
)
‘Iran could’ve made 15 nuclear bombs, we had no choice’: Israel
)
Indian Defence Minister Rajnath Singh likely to visit China this month
)
Man sits on 'Van Gogh' chair, shatters art piece covered in Swarovski crystals
)
India distances itself from SCO statement that condemned Israeli strikes on Iran, MEA explains why
&im=FitAndFill=(700,400))
‘No Kings’ protest: Hundreds of thousands of people take to US streets | In pics
)
Breaking: Israel's Haifa under attack, Israelis told to enter bomb shelters
)
300-year-old shipwreck with $20 billion worth of treasure has four parties squabbling
)
Israel-Iran war: Israeli strike targeted defence ministry headquarters in Tehran, says Iranian media
)
Sri Lankan Army Chief Lasantha Rodrigo Revisits IMA Roots
)
‘If you threaten the American people...’: Trump praises US Army in military parade speech
)
UK moving fighter jets to West Asian region amid heightened Iran-Israel tensions, here's why
)
Israel-Iran war: Iran’s Revolutionary Guards claim Israel warplane fuelling sites targeted
)
Does Minnesota lawmakers shooting have a Trump connection? Flyers linked to Anti-Trump ‘No Kings’ rally found in suspect’s car
)
Out of Earth defence: Israel intercepts Iranian ballistic missile in space - What is exoatmospheric interception? WATCH
)
Did Iran shoot down third Israeli F-35 jet? Tehran claims it captured two pilots after Israel slams earlier claims as 'fake news'
)
Who is Vance Boelter, the suspect in Minnesota lawmakers shootings
)
Israel-Iran war: Iran launches new wave of missiles, Israel strikes Tehran | VIDEO
)
Israel-Iran war: IDF confirms targeting Iran's nuclear weapons project sites in ‘extensive series of strikes’
)
‘Years of planning, 200 aircraft, 300 munitions’: Israel smuggled drones, weapons into Iran before launching strikes | Inside Operation Rising Lion
)
Israel-Iran war: Israel strikes underground missile facility in western Iran's Khorramabad
)
France wants Iran back on 'negotiating table' over nuclear deal BUT Iranian president says not until Israel stops attack
)
Israel-Iran war: Israel feel the impact of Iranian strikes, Ramat Gan gets affected the most
)
6 feared dead as helicopter carrying pilgrims crashes in Kedarnath
US on the use of fentanyl
US Ambassador to Mexico Ken Salazar said on Saturday earlier this month that combating fentanyl, a deadly opioid that has killed tens of thousands of Americans, requires a global strategy similar to the one undertaken against coronavirus (COVID-19).
Salazar said. "The world has to unite, this is not just about the United States and Mexico. The governments of Europe are seeing what is happening with fentanyl. We know that other countries in Latin America are now looking at it with much more interest because it is a poison."
(With inputs from agencies)
WATCH WION LIVE HERE
You can now write for wionews.com and be a part of the community. Share your stories and opinions with us here.