Opioids in America: Tackling Our National Emergency

Drug overdoses now kill more people than gun homicides and car crashes combined. According to the Centers for Disease Control (CDC), 142 Americans die every day from a drug overdose. Opioids are a prime contributor to this crisis, which has been declared a National Emergency. But how have these professionally prescribed medications had such a catastrophic effect on our country, and what can be done to end this devastating  epidemic?  

For this week's episode of The Scientific Method we were joined by PNWU Associate Professor of Internal Medicine Dr. Albert Brady and PNWU Provost and Chief Academic Officer Dr. Edward Bilsky to discuss opioids in America. 

"We've introduced another subset of the population to drugs that were perceived to be relatively safe. When we confront a really big problem like this in society we can become overwhelmed by it. It freezes us into inaction. But if we can turn the corner and begin making people aware of the resources that exist, we can begin chipping away at the fundamental reasons why they take these opioids. For those who are at rock bottom: we can still help you. There is hope."