The Heat: U.S. dealing with one of its worst-ever drug crises

The Heat

The United States is grappling with one of its worst drug crises.

More than 1500 people per week die from opioid-related overdoses, a toll that has risen across the country during the pandemic. Opioid addiction has become an epidemic, endangering not only public health but economic productivity and national security. And overdoses are now the leading cause of preventable death among people between the ages 18 and 45. CGTN’s Sean Callebs has a report.

To discuss:

  • Harry Nelson is an attorney and the author of “The United States of Opioids: A Prescription for Liberating a Nation in Pain”.
  • Mike Vigil is the former head of international operations for the U.S. Drug Enforcement Administration.
  • Dr. David Gastfriend is an addiction psychiatrist and the chief medical officer at Dynamicare Health.
  • Jim Hood is the CEO of “Generation SOS.” He lost his 20-year old son, Austin, to a drug overdose in 2012.

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