Discover and read the best of Twitter Threads about #OverdoseAwarenessWeek
Most recents (2)
The Biden Administration declared this week to be #OverdoseAwarenessWeek.
And they did something absolutely unforgivable that will cost people their lives and freedom: They proposed extending the class-wide scheduling of fentanyls.
A thread 🧵
whitehouse.gov/ondcp/briefing…
And they did something absolutely unforgivable that will cost people their lives and freedom: They proposed extending the class-wide scheduling of fentanyls.
A thread 🧵
whitehouse.gov/ondcp/briefing…
1) Currently, fentanyl is a scheduled substance. Some analogues with proven high potency have been scheduled as Schedule 1.
Class-wide scheduling means that EVERY FENTANYL ANALOGUE EVER SEIZED IN THE FUTURE will be treated as a Schedule 1 drug with harsh penalties. Huge problem.
Class-wide scheduling means that EVERY FENTANYL ANALOGUE EVER SEIZED IN THE FUTURE will be treated as a Schedule 1 drug with harsh penalties. Huge problem.
2) Schedule 1 status means a drug has "high abuse potential" and "no medical use." It also means harsh penalties.
But not all fentanyl analogues are psychoactive or are potent. Some have no effects or milder effects than fentanyl. This incorrectly presumes analogue = dangerous.
But not all fentanyl analogues are psychoactive or are potent. Some have no effects or milder effects than fentanyl. This incorrectly presumes analogue = dangerous.
The US drug overdose death count in 1999 was 16,849. This number has increased almost every year since then (2018 was the only decline) and is estimated to exceed 93,000 overdose deaths in 2020.
#OverdoseAwarenessWeek
#OverdoseAwarenessWeek
Here’s a @CDCgov source showing drug overdose deaths from 1999-2017.
This other data set from the @CDCgov shows the contributors. Since the mid-2010’s, a large % of drug overdose deaths was caused by fentanyl. Meth, cocaine, Rx opioids & benzos have contributed too.
👉🏾Exclusively limiting Rx opioid distribution has failed to solve the epidemic.
👉🏾Exclusively limiting Rx opioid distribution has failed to solve the epidemic.
