The opioid epidemic is officially a public health emergency
After years of an ever-increasing number of drug overdoses from opioid pain relievers (more than 30,000 in 2015, a 2.8-fold increase since 2002) and calls from all corners, including law enforcement, the American Medical Association
and local and state governments, President Donald Trump has declared the country’s current opioid epidemic a “public health emergency” to be managed under the Public Health Services Act. (It could have been declared a “national emergency.”)
The benefit of a public health emergency declaration is that it applies to the whole country (FEMA-style “national emergency declarations” often target single events and/or single areas) and may make telemedicine available to rural areas that don’t have enough doctors to help those in need. It’s also a great help in stimulating conversation among all Americans about how to address this challenge.
That’s why Dr. Oz and Dr. Roizen, along with their partner Facing Addiction, are once again asking YOU, and YOU, and YOU to join in the Night of Conversation — a coming together of folks you care about (friends, family — including kids and elders — and coworkers) to share dinner and talk about addiction.
This November 16, tens of thousands of you will discover new ways to talk about the risks of using recreational drugs, including opioids, and offering your kids help in fending off peer pressure to do so. (More on that below!)