Fentanyl deaths

[LeeG]

Re: Fentanyl deaths

The Sackler family and others in big pharma were very effective in creating demand by creating the myth that we should all be pain-free and pain was a "vital sign." How often were we given a 30-day supply of opioids for acute pain that should be resolved in a few days, long before the 30-days are over? Before fenantyl became a problem, prescription opioids were being widely abused. When pharmacies started to clamp down on handing out prescription opioids, fentanyl filled the gap.

Opioids were also, long ago, one of the first effective treatments for chronic depression. It is no coincidence that a lot of people addicted to opioids also have underlying depression and other mental health issues.

But somehow the military is the solution? There must be more to this for Kaine and Ernst to seek out the military in a public “bipartisan” manner. This just smells off and I’m guessing half of it is the reporting.

[Brian Palmer]

Re: Fentanyl deaths

But somehow the military is the solution? There must be more to this for Kaine and Ernst to seek out the military in a public “bipartisan” manner. This just smells off and I’m guessing half of it is the reporting.

Kaine and Ernst did say "this will require a whole of government approach" that will match the scale of the problem. That includes addressing mental health (demand) and also the cartels manufacturing and bringing the stuff in (supply).