Indy ranks in top ten for opioid prescriptions

Indiana ranks among the top ten states in the U.S. for opioid prescription rates, according to recent data.With a rate of 56.23 opioid prescriptions per 100 residents, Indiana ranks tenth, underscoring the overwhelming presence of opioid medications in the state.The data, compiled by personal injury firm Siegfried & Jensen, evaluated average opioid dispensing trends across the nation from 2019-2022. Alabama leads with the highest rate, of prescribing opioids at 79.18 per 100 people.Other states in the region like Kentucky and Tennessee are also among the top ten, with prescription rates of 66.88 and 67.60 per 100 people, respectively.One expert at Siegfried & Jensen believes the issue is a nationwide concern.“High opioid dispensing rates reflect both the widespread use of these medications for pain management and the underlying challenges in balancing accessibility with the risk of misuse,” the expert from Siegfried & Jensen said in a statement.Conversely, Hawaii has the lowest opioid dispensing rate, with 26.6 prescriptions per 100 residents. This wide disparity suggests diverse prescribing practices across states, with the Midwest and Southeast showing particularly high levels of opioid availability.Contact multi-media & senior sports reporter Noral Parham III at 317-762-7846. Follow him on X @3Noral. For more news from Indianapolis...