Oklahoma Watch: State of Addiction

Oklahoma Watch is a non-profit, investigative and in-depth reporting team that collaborates with other news organizations and higher education to produce journalism that makes a difference in the lives of Oklahomans. Their mission is to provide an accurate, clear and insightful analysis of the facts on issues of public importance.

Oklahoma is in a State of Addiction. We lead the nation in the percentage of people, 12 and older, using prescription painkillers for non-medical purposes. Another grim statistic, the state ranks among the top 10 for prescription painkiller sales and overdose deaths, according to federal statistics. Oklahoma Watch shines a light on this issue, looking at the impact, human element, background and possible solution for this State of Addiction.