For young women like Nicole, we can do better.

ABSTRACT

Twenty-two-year-old Nicole, who had a heroin addiction, died of an accidental overdose. Her family tried to get her help as she battled her addiction, but they found that treatment for addiction disorders was hard to access. Nicole's story underscores the need to continue to probe the gaps in the addiction treatment system and to share what we learn in hopes of helping others avoid this kind of tragedy. Fundamental changes are needed in the configuration of services and service providers to make effective treatments sufficiently attractive, accessible, and affordable.