The Heat: America’s opiate addictions

The Heat

According to the Centers for Disease Control, more than 47,000 Americans died from a lethal drug overdose in 2014. That‘s about 129 people each day.

About two thirds of all those deaths involved a class of drugs called opiates. They include prescription painkillers and the illegal drug, heroin.

The crisis is hitting right across the U.S., even rural communities in states like Vermont and New Hampshire. It is now an issue in the presidential race.

The following guests joined The Heat:

  • From Kansas is Carl Lejuez, the founding director of the Center for Addictions, Personality and Emotion Research.
  • From Washington, Roland Martin is a radio and television managing editor and talk-show host.
  • From Los Angeles is Sam Quinones, a journalist and author who has written about America’s opiate addictions.
  • From Washington, correspondent Sean Callebs has been covering the story for CCTV America.