The opioid epidemic
The opioid epidemic
• The opioid and heroin epidemic claims more than 25,000 American lives each year .
• 3 out of 4 heroin users started with opioid pills .
• Between 2018 and 2019 , the number of opioid-related deaths ( namely heroin and fentanyl ) across New York , Massachusetts , Kentucky and Ohio stayed the same or decreased for Hispanic and non-Hispanic White communities , while increasing 38 % for non-Hispanic Black individuals – suggesting that Black communities are not benefitting equally from intervention programmes .
“ As a member of the Board of Directors , I am directly involved in projects to help achieve the group ’ s mission of raising awareness of the problem of opiate abuse and fighting ways to combat that problem and find patients and families with alternatives ,” said Johnson .
As a board member of Physicians for Responsible Opioid Prescribing , Johnson takes part in the advocacy work in holding pharmaceutical companies to justice .
Outside of his healthcare roles , Johnson gives presentations to inform and engage with his audience – from medical professionals , to those in the grip of addiction , to their family members . To each of them , Johnson sends a clear message : that the medical industry must reform to put patient needs over business interests .
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