What you can do to help the opioid crisis after watching ‘Dopesick’: NPR

Betsy, played by Kaitlyn Dever, and Dr. Samuel Finnix, Michael Keaton, discusses her first Oxy prescription for back pain from a work injury.

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Betsy, played by Kaitlyn Dever, and Dr. Samuel Finnix, Michael Keaton, discusses her first Oxy prescription for back pain from a work injury.

Antony Platt / Hulu

Editor’s Note: This story contains quotes and information that were originally discussed during a Twitter Spaces event hosted by NPR TV critic Eric Deggans and with NPR addiction correspondent Brian Mann, Dopsyg book author Beth Macy, Dopsyg series creator / showrunner Danny Strong and more. Follow us on Twitter, and read more about NPR’s addiction coverage here.

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention released new data this week showing that the U.S. drug crisis continues to deepen, with fatal overdoses killing 100,000 people in the United States over a 12-month period.

Drug policy experts say a 28% increase in a single year is devastating and unprecedented.

It shows that an addiction crisis that began in the late 1990s – when the healthcare industry and pharmaceutical companies like Purdue Pharma distributed huge amounts of opioid painkillers – continues to grow.

These days, many of the overdose deaths are driven by illegal fentanyl and methamphetamine smuggled into the United States from Mexico by drug cartels.

But prescription opioids are still a big part of the problem.

According to the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA), 9.5 million people abused opioids by 2020; the overwhelming majority (9.3 million) of these individuals, abused specifically prescription painkillers.

The following are quotes from members of the Twitter Spaces panel discussing dopsyge – the limited Hulu series that depicts the opioid epidemic – and outlines some of the challenges exacerbating this crisis, with suggestions on how to get involved and help.

Dr. Samuel Finnix (Michael Keaton), in Hulu’s limited series, Dopsyg.

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Dr. Samuel Finnix (Michael Keaton), in Hulu’s limited series, Dopsyg.

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Two major factors have exacerbated the opioid crisis recently

Like many other things, the pandemic has had an acute impact on the opioid crisis over the last two years. COVID-19 has disrupted all aspects of daily life, leaving many struggling to find treatment and support.

According to SAMHSA’s 2020 national study on drug use and health, the coronavirus outbreak not only adversely affected the mental health of many Americans, but it exacerbated their pre-existing problems with alcohol and drug abuse.

“The pandemic … destroyed a lot of the progress that has been made in reducing overdose deaths,” said Beth Macy, author of Dopsyg.

“There’s a treatment gap,” she explained. “Only 12% of people with [Opioid Use Disorder] in the past year have been able to access care. It’s a crime. “

The other big challenge? Synthetic opioids such as fentanyl.

NPR’s Brian Mann has reported that overdose deaths increased during the pandemic as more drugs were mixed with fentanyl – one reason the US drug crisis is roaring back.

Most of the street’s drug supply in the country is contaminated with fentanyl and it is extremely dangerous.

“People can literally try a pill that looks like a pharmaceutical-grade painkiller at a party or at a friend’s or bought on the street, and that one pill might be enough to kill them,” Mann said.

“Between fentanyl and the pandemic,” he added, “this story has sadly gotten darker.”

Dr. Samuel Finnix (Michael Keaton), center, during group therapy.

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Dr. Samuel Finnix (Michael Keaton), center, during group therapy.

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How to help in your community

For their part, members of the Sackler family claim they did nothing wrong when they made more than $ 11 billion on opioid sales. They have agreed to contribute more than $ 4.3 billion to an opioid settlement.

Author Ryan Hampton is an activist in recovery who has written a new book on Purdue Pharma, called Unresolved. He is now working to inspire others to get involved and make their voices heard about the abuse crisis.

“I just want to encourage people … who are touched and have an emotional response Dopsyg“Get involved in your community,” Hampton said. “There’s so much you can do.”

Some of the billions of dollars of settlement money from pharmaceutical companies under consideration are expected to cover the cost of treatment and support services – but much of that funding is still changing.

Another result from the popularity of Dopsyg miniseries is that it could help reduce the stigma of those who experience addiction.

“It’s a big takeaway for a lot of people I talk to who have seen the show,” Mann said. “They see that people with addiction are people. They were caught in a national crisis. If the viewers get away from this with more compassion, it’s a big step.”

Hampton said advocates still hope that money given to communities as part of Purdue Pharma’s bankruptcy settlement can support broader change.

For those who want to channel their energy into action, Hampton, has the following suggestions:

• Talk to your members of Congress and state legislators
• Find out what public services are available in your community and share your competencies and strengths. Find ways to contribute.

“People are a little more awake and people are ready to start acting in their own communities,” he added. “But we should not – and this is happening in the Purdue Pharma bankruptcy right now – have to exchange corporate responsibility for real public healthcare solutions.”

Policy changes, such as making it easier for applications to set up mobile methadone services and funding to purchase fentanyl test strips (which allow users to avoid inadvertent exposure to the powerful synthetic drug) are already underway at the federal level.

Resources for people facing addiction

You should consult your doctor whenever possible for help with substance abuse and proceed cautiously. The addiction treatment industry is fraught with scams and expensive, low-quality facilities.

Use these resources to get confidential, free help from public health agencies and to find treatment information on drug use:

Emily Alfin Johnson and Arielle Retting adapted this story to the web.