Report: Wilmington leads nation in opioid abuse

WILMINGTON, NC (WECT) - Wilmington leads the nation in opioid abuser rate, according to a report from Castlight Health.

According to the study title The Opioid Crisis in America's Workforce, the opioid abuse rate in the Port City is 11.6 percent, slightly more than Anniston, AL.

The report analyzed anonymous health data from nearly a million people covered by employer-based insurance.

Three other NC cities also were among the top 25 highest abuser rates in the nation - Hickory, fifth, 9.9 percent; Jacksonville, 12th, 8.2 percent; Fayetteville, 18th, 7.9 percent.

Wilmington ranks fourth nationally in percentage of opioid prescriptions abuse at 53.8 percent.

The full report can be found here.

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