Report: Thousands Continue To Die Monthly In US Of Drug Overdose

DETROIT (WWJ) - In a landmark report, the Surgeon General says 78 people die each day from opioid overdose.

Dr. Vivek Murthy says over 20 million people have a substance use disorder, but only 10 percent receive treatment.

"The trend is occurring but the foundation of support is lacking so this report gives great hope to the substance abuse prevention community that treatment and recovery will catch up with the need," said Vivek.

The silver lining says Karen Bonnano, with Livonia Save Our Youth Coalition, is that there are currently 28 million Americans living productive, healthy lives in recovery.