In this article there is a different tone/view on the crisis than what we have discussed so far. Interesting how the CDC has been categorizing these overdoses. Nonetheless it is still sad how many lives are lost to overdose. Also included is a brief video of President Trump mentioning drug dealers and potential consequences for dealing.
http://www.newsweek.com/trumps-false-war-opioids-will-only-punish-patients-pain-873196
The battle to fight this epidemic also hurts patients who need opioids for the recovery of their post-surgery woes. There are people who use opioids to truly aid their painful recoveries, and limiting the duration or amount of dosage they are able to receive may inflict inconvenience or pain on patients along the way. Another good point the article brought up was the possible inflation of number of opioid-related overdoses, where prescription pills and street drugs were lumped together in similar categories. The estimates of 40,000 deaths is supposedly less, and is reasonably assumed to be 5,000. Not as high of a number, but still a figure that needs to be addressed.
ReplyDeleteThe fact that around two-thirds of all overdoses involve an opioid is mindblowing. Now I think educating the public that vicodin and other opioid painkillers only account for about one-eighth of opioid related overdoses is important, but this number is still too high.
ReplyDeleteI would definitely agree with Brett that the two-thirds of all overdoses involve an opioid statistic is staggering to say the least. It makes me think back to our first class, and wonder if instead of just “throwing money at the problem,” taking a “decriminalization” approach like Europe could actually be productive in fighting the Opioid Crisis.
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ReplyDeleteWhen I went to Seattle this spring quarter, and talked with several Google software engineers about decriminalization of drug in Washington. They mentioned that the government tends to mimic the decriminalization approach adopted in Switzerland，providing professional medical care to addicts. These Googlers show unwillingness towards such action. Despite of increase in tax, the number of drug addicts may also increase (who knows), making Seattle more unsafe. Although decriminalization approach may work well for prohibit drug, but the public, even with high education level, may be less willing to do so.
ReplyDeleteThis article sheds light on the reality that the opioid crisis is a complex issue, that contains many layers to the discussion. Policymakers must simultaneously address the daily overdoses of fentanyl and heroin while also not losing sight of the fact that there are many individuals who aren't abusing drugs, but depend on them to manage pain. Balancing these two extremes requires much more just "throwing money at the problem", as Sai alluded to. Before trying to develop a solution to the opioid crisis, maybe policymakers should first seek to understand it.
ReplyDeleteI agree with what many others have said in here. There are many alternatives that can be beneficial for the greater population. The way some of these drug issues are resolved in some European countries should be taken into consideration. Weighing the costs and benefits of different policies is essential before making hefty decisions.
ReplyDeleteThe other day I was listening to NPR and they said that Trump often does not listen to what his advisers tell him. He wants to stay true to his promises that he made while he was running. I think the way he views the Opioid Crisis will really affect the near future of the epidemic.
I am seeing quite a few parallels between this crisis and the War on Drugs that started when Nixon got in office, where they fight the crisis with money and strict law enforcement rather than treatment and education. Hopefully we can learn from our past, find a balance in tackling this crisis, and make a change moving forward.
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