Opioid crisis, by the numbers:

out of drug overdose deaths in the U.S. involve an opioid people died in 2015 from an opioid-related overdose people die every day in the U.S. from an opioid overdose people have died of a drug overdose from 2000 to 2015 Source: Centers for Disease Control overdoses is occurring in Caucasian and Native American populations.

“I think a lot of people were surprised by those recent statistics,” says Dr. Fiori.

Something else that’s very different about this drug epidemic? “Men are (still) more likely to die of an overdose than women, but that gap is closing,” he says. “And it’s not clear to me why the rates of overdose are increasing in women.”

One thing that is clear is that “any use of opioids right now carries the risk of overdose,” says Ben Nordstrom, MD, chief clinical officer at Phoenix House, a nationwide holistic drug and alcohol treatment center.

But there is hope, Nordstrom adds. With proper medical intervention, “100% of those deaths are preventable.”

For starters, a drug known as Naxolone is able to reverse an opioid drug overdose when administered in time. It’s now available at pharmacies in New York City (go to nyc.gov/health/map for a list of participating locations) and can be paid for through insurance or out-of-pocket (cost starts at $45). Community programs throughout the city will also provide it free of charge; they can be located by calling 311.

Prevention, especially among children and young adults — people ages 18 to 25 have the fastest growing rate of drug use, specifically opioids — continues to be a first wave of defense and the best long-term solution for stemming the tide of substance abuse.

But advancements in drug and alcohol treatments, as well as greater accessibility thanks to substance abuse rehabilitation being covered under the Affordable Care Act, are making it easier and more affordable than ever for people dealing with substance abuse issues to find help.

“Assessments are very fast,” says Dr. Nordstrom. “It’s a 45-minute investment of time that can literally save your life.”