The Stream

America’s deadly battle with opioids

How have prescription drug and heroin overdoses become a leading killer in the US?

Every day, 125 Americans die from prescription painkiller and heroin overdoses. The problem is so bad US President Barack Obama has proposed $1.1 billion be spent to fight the crisis. But unlike past drug epidemics riling black communities, opioid addiction surging in white communities is being treated as a disease rather than a crime. How did the US become so hooked on opioids and how can it recover? 

On today’s episode, we speak to: 

Cyril Scovens
Addiction counselor trainee at Tuerk House
tuerkhouse.org

Dean LeMire
Substance misuse prevention coordinator, One Voice
onevoicenh.org

Jennifer Weiss-Burke @HAC_Heal
Executive director, Healing Addiction in Our Community
healingaddictionnm.org

Dr. Carl Sullivan III
Director, Addiction Programs at the WVU School of Medicine

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