Thread by @PainPtFightBack

1/ @WKRG used a stock image of transdermal fentanyl for their Facebook posting of their report on the tragic death of 15 yo Adrianna Taylor & the arrest of a 17yo who alleged supplied her w/ the IMF that led to her death from illicit fentanyl poisoning.
m.facebook.com/story.php?stor…

2/ Illicitly manufactured fentanyl is driving the current overdose crisis - not strictly regulated pharmaceutical fentanyl which is used during anesthesia, pain, & as a transdermal patch for patients w/ severe chronic pain that's refractory to other treatment. @WKRG

3/ I recognize that this likely seems a small oversight. There is another less talked about opioid crisis: pain patients in crisis because they can’t access medication needed to function & have some quality of life. @WKRG

4/ Patients w/ chronic pain are dying too, from suicides or heart & strokes triggered by the physiologic effects of uncontrolled pain. Others die from OD, but it’s not usually their prescribed meds, but rather IMF, after they have resorted to illicit sources in desperation. @WKRG

5/ @WKRG, you’re probably wondering where stats on these deaths are, but no gov agency tracks this. I’m a former nurse, person w/ chronic pain, fellow Alabamian, & doing my best to capture as many deaths as possible, though I don’t have the same resources.
drive.google.com/file/d/1lFy_Rb…

6/ Here’s an annotated bibliography w/ pertinent references including stats on incidence of addiction (OUD), OD’s, and peer-reviewed articles discussing harms associated with involuntary tapering and abrupt discontinuation of prescribed opioids. @WKRG
drive.google.com/file/d/1U_ukDZ…

7/ Now to the real issue in this case.
15 yo Adrianna Taylor died tragically from illicit fentanyl poisoning. A 17 yo whose name isn't being released due juvy status facing adult charges for manslaughter & unlawful distribution of a controlled substance charges.
@MorganGodvin

8/ Though the details have yet to be released, I'm going out on a limb & guessing this was a case of friends / acquaintances that this was a case a of a sale b/t two friends/acquaintances vs how most ppl would picture "drug distribution."

9/ Is a stay in the over-crowded & much beleaguered ADOC going to help this young man or protect society? I don't think so.

@MorganGodvin served time following a similar incident & could provide valuable insight to @team_sheriff & @MobileDAoffice.

morgangodvin.com

10/ @WKRG I am honored to be part of #ChangingTheNarrative, our members include include journalists, researchers, academics, & advocates with lived experience.

One issue of focus is the media’s portrayal of tragic cases like this.

changingthenarrative.news