By EMS1 Staff
CHICAGO — A report claims that the opioid problem in Chicago is far worse than many believe.
CBS Chicago reported that Kathie Kane-Willis, with the Chicago Urban League, co-authored the report, claiming the opioid death rate among African-Americans in the city was 56 percent higher than for Caucasians.
“The narrative that we hear from the news media is about the white, suburban, rural opioid epidemic,” Kane-Willis said.
In 2016, the overdose rate for African-Americans more than doubled, according to CBS News. They also accounted for nearly a quarter of opioid deaths in the state.
According to the report, Chicago ranks lowest in the Midwest for medication-assisted treatment capacity and third worst among major cities.
Kane-Willis said she hopes the report raises awareness about the opioid problem among African-Americans and leads to better treatment of opioid addicts.