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Friday, April 28, 2017

Prescription for change: Doctors are key link in fighting opioid epidemic

ANNAPOLIS, Md. —The opioid overdose epidemic is front and center for many in Maryland and across America.

How did it get this bad?

There are those who say the problem is driven in part by inappropriate prescribing. The 11 News I-Team takes a look at physician awareness and training, and the efforts to save lives.

In the shadow of Maryland's capital, Anne Arundel County State's Attorney Wes Adams serves as a law-and-order prosecutor who's trying to head off the opioid crisis one school child at a time.

"We had 924 overdoses with 125 who died," Adams said.

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5 comments:

Anonymous said...

I'm truly sick of hearing this nonsense. I very seriously doubt anyone is being prescribed hypodermics and heroin. I rely on prescribed pain meds to literally assist me to continue to remain mobile, not once have they made more want to take more than prescribed, actually I usually am able to cut back a couple days a month. Not once have they made nr want to go buy needles and street heroin to chase after a more potent high. Go after the street dealers with an all out assault that's where your problem is

Anonymous said...

I'm truly sick of hearing this nonsense. I very seriously doubt anyone is being prescribed hypodermics and heroin. I rely on prescribed pain meds to literally assist me to continue to remain mobile, not once have they made more want to take more than prescribed, actually I usually am able to cut back a couple days a month. Not once have they made nr want to go buy needles and street heroin to chase after a more potent high. Go after the street dealers with an all out assault that's where your problem is

Anonymous said...

It is the few who abuse them which like anything else ruins it for those, like 10:32 and myself which use these meds properly to live a normal life. I am the same as him if I don't feel I need the full dose I don't take it because there are days when it can be much worse and I may take a dose of 1.5. But never have I craved more and more. Just like alcohol you have those who can go into a bar and drink two beers at happy hour and go home and those who go in and can't leave till they are plastered. In anything you have those who abuse it and those who follow the rules.

Anonymous said...

the 15% of the abusers make it hard for the 85% of us that need those meds to get them. We are treated as criminals, drug seekers, liars, 'all in our heads', etc.

the gov't created this 'epidemic' by restricting the availability of these drugs and making doctors fear losing their licenses. Just like PRMC ruins everything it touches, the gov't ruins everything it touches.

They need to get out of doctors offices and out of our lives

Anonymous said...

The government wants the heroin epidemic to continue. I firmly believe this for you only hear of occasional large amounts of heroin caught at the border and minor dealers being busted. When was the last time you heard of any large quantum found in someone's home or a warehouse in any city or state being busted... think about it...when and where for these large quantities?