Trump does nothing to stop 175 American deaths a day

[IronLionZion]

https://www.washingtonpost.com/opinions/2017/10/11/830a96ee-aec8-11e7-be94-fabb0f1e9ffb_story.html?utm_term=.0ba8e39bf1ff

Americans are dying at the rate of 175 a day from opioid overdoses, but President Trump has yet to deliver his promised strategy to end the crisis.

And so the people’s representatives, in the absence of presidential leadership, did about the only thing they could do. They had a day of opioid karaoke.

There wasn’t actual music. But it was open-mic day Wednesday before the House Energy and Commerce Committee. The panel invited members of Congress to take the witness seat and, in three minutes or less, sing a sad song about how the opioid crisis is ruining the lives of their constituents.

“In Oregon alone more people died last year from drug overdoses than from car accidents,” said Rep. Greg Walden (R).

“The opioid epidemic is having devastating consequences in my home state” of New Jersey, said Rep. Frank Pallone (D).

“In 2016, more than 2,000 opioid deaths in Michigan alone,” said Rep. Fred Upton (R).

“There are enough bottles of painkillers in circulation for nearly every Hoosier to have one of their own,” said Rep. Susan Brooks (R) of Indiana.

“Five-hundred and one New Mexicans died overdose-related deaths,” said Rep. Ben Ray Luján (D).

“Drug overdoses cause nearly four times as many deaths as compared to traffic accidents” in Ohio, said Rep. Bob Latta (R).

The opioid epidemic disproportionately affects rural areas, red states, and many Republicans who may have voted for Dolt 45 because of his campaign promises to end the epidemic. It's true this problem started long before he came along. But cheeto twitler doesn't do anything to help. He's such a piece of shit.

He had no plan to replace Obamacare, no infrastructure plan, no tax plan, no foreign policy. But inaction on opioids is particularly ruinous, as the overdoses kill more people than car accidents and more than AIDS killed at its peak. In lieu of a plan, Trump has threatened to arrest more people, suggested kids say no to drugs, and sent the first lady to West Virginia on Tuesday to tour an opioid addiction center for infants.

[Amishman]

1. Imagine how bad it would we without Narcan

We have a huge problem, and the only thing keeping it from being a slaughter is the spectacular life saving capabilities of Narcan

[IronLionZion]

3. Conservative politicians have been cutting back on Narcan funding

A lot of towns have decided their police should not be carrying Narcan anymore and that overdoses "don't deserve" the attention of first responders like paramedics since they have more deserving people to take care of. Their argument is that they don't carry around Epi-pens for people dying of severe allergic reactions so F the worthless drug addicts.

Some conservatives view overdose deaths as more of a solution than a problem.

[Amishman]

5. Trying to rekindle the drug war

The drug warrior crowd is hurting over pot legalization so they want to turn a problem into a crisis to justify more draconian drug laws and ramping up asset forfeiture.

[Not Ruth]

2. Legalize it and get the illegal drugs off the streets

[IronLionZion]

4. They often start off legally with prescription painkillers.

The illegal stuff is cheaper and easier to get. It's extremely addictive.

[Amishman]

6. Just another reason to promote cannabis derived pain treatments

Effective, inexpensive, less addictive, safer.

[Act_of_Reparation]

13. It depends on the pain.

There is moderate evidence cannabis helps with neuropathic pain. Since many patients use opioids for musculo-skeletal pain, cannabinoids appear at present to be something of a poor substitute.

[former9thward]

7. What is the solution?

If opioids are restricted people will scream that pain killers are being taken away. I am not hearing any solution from anybody.

[IronLionZion]

8. Treatment of addiction, alternative pain meds that are less addictive

opiod painkillers should be the last resort not the first, longer term pain management treatment. Better educating patients about the risks. Punishing drug companies for straight up lying about safe dosages

The GOP has a very simple affordable solution to this problem: die quickly.

[former9thward]

9. What?

Are you saying doctors don't know what safe dosages are? Patients are told about the risks. Show me where they are not. Why are you saying drug companies are lying about safe dosages? Where is that evidence? People get addicted because opioids make you feel good. To push this off on somebody else without any evidence is irresponsible.

[IronLionZion]

10. People like you

are a big part of the problem.

[former9thward]

11. You might want to go into a bathroom

and look at that thing above the sink.

[IronLionZion]

12. This eagle taking a long thoughtful look at itself

is not a metaphor for anything happening in America