In 2016, more Americans died from drug overdose than in both the Vietnam War and Iraq War combined. Two-thirds of these overdoses involved opioids. Over two million Americans are dependent on opioids, and medical professionals worry that this public health crisis will only continue to grow. In Illinois, 14.1 percent of deaths in 2015 are drug-related. Despite these numbers, there are treatments to help people with an opioid use disorder—and those treatments work.

April is Medicaid Awareness Month, and we’re publishing a series of blogs called Medicaid Matters. In this series, we explore how Medicaid expansions have provided quality, affordable health coverage to children, seniors, working families, and people with disabilities. This week is dedicated to children and families.