Tag Archives: Opioid

NYTimes: Words, Not Action, From Mr. Trump on Opioids – NYT

October 27, 2017 By in Business Administration, Healthcare, People, Politics Tags: , , , , 1 Comment

Here’s an excellent editorial from the NYT.

Source: Words, Not Action, From Mr. Trump on Opioids

The NYT is right to be highly critical of Donald Trump‘s absence of leadership on the opioid epidemic. Now that this has become a national crisis, Trump weak intervention is an integral part of the problem.

But  I disagree with the NYT that the US government‘s policy must be about empathy and care.

Trump seems to respect major military figures in government. Perhaps, he needs a former general to implement the recommendations of his opioids commission but as a first step he must surely declare a national public health emergency?

Thoughts?

To Combat the Opioid Epidemic, We Must Be Honest About All Its Causes – Harvard Business Review

October 27, 2017 By in Business Administration, Healthcare, People, Politics Tags: , , , , , Leave a comment

This article in the HBR is worth a read. It argues that doctors, companies, and socioeconomic forces have all played a role in promoting the opioid epidemic.

Source: To Combat the Opioid Epidemic, We Must Be Honest About All Its Causes

Whilst, other countries have problems with opioids, the scale of the US opioid epidemic dwarfs their impact in other countries.

American politics is very divisive, supporting societies winners but the social nets for the less advantaged have been ineffective, especially compared to other advanced countries.

Clearly, opioids are destroying large parts of US society. Sadly, conservative politicians are often more focused on destroying Obamacare, rather than supporting an effective strategy for dealing with the opioid epidemic.

The HBR is right to say that doctors, companies, and socioeconomic forces have all played a role in promoting the opioid epidemic. But the major roadblock is now with the political classes.

Thoughts?