Balanced Approach to Opioids

Opioid overdoses are rising as the COVID-19 pandemic continues. In 2020, overdose deaths rose by 30%. However, many chronic disease patients rely on prescription opioids for their healthcare regimen. We examine a balanced policy approach to combat the pandemic while protecting patients with chronic illness. 

As part of the Reverse the Silence campaign, former Congresswoman Mary Bono shares policy ideas to combat the opioid epidemic and overdose-reversing drugs to save lives. And Las Vegas Raiders tight end Darren Waller reflects on his battle with addiction.

Plus, August is Health Care Awareness Month. Field Correspondent Kate speaks with the organizers behind the movement, Peter Morley and Rachel Brody, about how you can participate in this month-long advocacy campaign and make your healthcare story heard. 

Hosts: 

Terry Wilcox, Executive Director, Patients Rising

Dr. Robert Goldberg, “Dr. Bob,” Co-Founder and Vice President of the Center for Medicine in the Public Interest

Kate Pecora, Field Correspondent, Patients Rising

Guests:

Mary Bono, Co-Convener, The Community Anti-Drug Coalitions of America (CADCA), Mothers Against Prescription Drug Abuse (MAPDA), SAFEProject, and Shatterproof

Darren Waller, tight end, Las Vegas Raiders, and opioid addiction advocate, Reverse the Silence

Peter Morley, Founder’s Council Member, United States of Care 

Rachel Brody, Executive Director, Health Care Awareness Month

Richie Khan, Patient Correspondent

Links:

Reverse the Silence Campaign

Need help?

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The views and opinions expressed herein are those of the guest(s)/ author(s) and do not reflect the official policy or position of Patients Rising.