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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