This is an ignored epidemic caused by our govt vilifying prescription opioids. When we restrict Rx opioids from ppl that need them to treat their debilitating pain, it doesn’t reduce drug deaths, it causes pain patients to commit suicide rather than live in pain. RIP @Dano1330 🧵
https://twitter.com/GojacketsJim/status/1589964295001235457
2. We can’t keep looking at the drug problem and assume that EVERYONE using Rx opioids is addicted. We can’t assume the only solution is treat addiction… pain patients are NOT addicted to opioids but they get treated like it and it’s been nothing but harmful to them.
3. The DEA made these pain patients’ doctors afraid to treat pain with Rx opioids, (doctors can lose their licenses), pain patients are weened off their current prescriptions, they’re told to take Tylenol or smoke weed, some patients can’t even get a Rx filled, etc.
4. Data in the last decade indicate restricting Rx opioids has done nothing to reduce drug deaths.
One thing we need from legislators and govt. officials is to admit restricting Rx opioids didn’t work and collect data on how many pain patients are dying from overdose & suicide.
One thing we need from legislators and govt. officials is to admit restricting Rx opioids didn’t work and collect data on how many pain patients are dying from overdose & suicide.
5. There isn’t a single blanket solution to end the drug epidemic in the US. There needs to be solutions to address the many different aspects of the drug epidemic, such as:
6. Helping ppl with addiction through mental health counseling as well as #harmreduction methods: Narcan training, fentanyl test strips, safe supply/supervised use sites
7. Pain patients are wrapped up in this epidemic but they have been traditionally ignored and just treated as “addicts”. Restrictions on Rx opioids (a safe supply) need to be lifted, otherwise patients may seek street drugs to treat their pain (and possibly OD) or commit suicide.
8. Improve drug interdiction operations. Law enforcement need better data to track “tainted” drugs or illicit fentanyl supplies and that kind of data can come from a well-funded drug crime lab… or new tech like what @IdemSystems is developing. See the linked thread below.
https://twitter.com/DrDavid_IDEM/status/1564630360452988931
9. With it being #ElectionDay, it is important to vote for candidates that will think outside the box in curbing the drug epidemic. There are (potential) Florida legislators I plan to work with to tackle a lot of the drug epidemic. Vote for candidates that will listen to you. 🇺🇸
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