This staggering number produced 16,651 opioid
overdose deaths that year (more than 45 a day) - more OD deaths than from heroin and cocaine combined and up from 4,030 in 1999.
There were also 885,348 emergency hospitalizations from overdoses in 2011 vs. 289,498 in 2004.
The total cost in health care from painkiller abuse: $72.5 billion.
The costs of the average worker’s compensation claim in 2011: $13,000. The cost of a claim related to long term painkillers such as Oxy: $39,000.