Jerome Adams, Surgeon General, Calls for "Cultural Change" When Talking about Opioids



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US General Jerome M. Adams called for a "cultural shift" in the way Americans talk about opioid addiction, saying stigma is one of the main reasons why only one in four people receive treatment. she needs.

Dr. Adams said opioids were involved in 48,000 of the 72,000 drug overdose deaths in the United States last year, but polls suggest that just over half of Americans view the epidemic as major concern.

In a new "Spotlight" report, the Department of Health and Social Services describes in detail how families, doctors, educators and business leaders can express themselves about addiction or prevent it from becoming established .

For example, he urges companies to reduce work-related injuries that could lead to misuse of opioids and calls on family members to "support (not make a judgment call") by encouraging a dependent family member to obtain # 39; s help. He also says that family members must wear reversible naloxone.

Dr. Adams tried to show the example by talking about his younger brother, who came in and out of prison because of the misuse of opioids.

"I tell the story of my family because too many of them face the same worries for their loved ones. We all ask the same question: how can I help end the opioid crisis and help those who are addicted? Said Dr. Adams. "The first step is to understand that the disorder related to the use of opioids is a chronic, but treatable brain disease, not a moral failure or a defect of character. Like many other chronic diseases, opioid-related disorders are both treatable and, in many cases, preventable. "

In 2017, more people sought drug treatment for opioid-related disorders than in 2016, but administration officials say that gaps persist, due to stigma, lack of affordable options or refusal to consume opioids.

President Trump, who has declared addiction a public health emergency, encourages people to share their stories, but a White House website titled "The Crisis Next Door" is finalizing an infected mothers' legislation and their babies, sometimes born with weaning.

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