The opioid epidemic claimed thousands of lives across California. There are many drug rehab programs in Riverside that can help those struggling with addiction to opioids or any other substance. In 2017 in Riverside County, approximately 125 people died from opiate overdose, which was an increase from 107 in 2016. During 2017 there were over 300 opioid overdose emergency department visits and over 240 hospitalizations involving opioids. Within Riverside County in 2017, more than 1.5 million prescriptions for pain medication were written. The lawsuit filed by Riverside County talks about the financial burden the opioid epidemic created within the county.
According to the Department of Public Social Services (DPSS) in Riverside County, there were 2,811 identified sheltered and unsheltered homeless adults and children countywide. The homeless count included veterans, youth aged 18 to 24, children aged 17 and under, chronically homeless, families with children, and the elderly. Approximately 24% of the homeless population in the county have substance abuse issues, and roughly 18% have a physical disability. Drug dealers will pray on the homeless population keeping them addicted to drugs. This is why it is so important for everyone to have access to substance abuse treatment programs in Riverside.