Fighting the Global Opioid Crisis BARRINGTON, Rhode Island — Among the abundance of global health issues, drug addiction often receives less attention than issues such as disease and hunger. However, while the ramifications of widespread drug abuse may not be as immediately apparent as these other crises, the issue still needs comparable recognition. Drug addiction affects not only physical health but also mental stability, employment and family lives. In some cases, it can entirely derail lives. The abuse of opioids is one particularly alarming health issue. Growing especially quickly within the U.S., the global opioid crisis is worsening everywhere. Poverty and Public Health