Episode 4: Addressing the Recent Trends in the Opioid Epidemic (Rachel Levine and Brad Finegood)

In the depths of the COVID-19 pandemic last year, we experienced the highest annual increase in drug-related deaths in 50 years, nearly 30% higher than in 2019, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. In this episode, we will explore the opioid crisis at the local, state, and federal levels to learn what tactics are being utilized to serve different populations in response to today's deadly trends.

Dr. Rachel Levine, the U.S. Assistant Secretary for Health and co-chair of the NAM’s Action Collaborative on Countering the U.S. Opioid Epidemic, and Brad Finegood, Strategic Advisor in Public Health in Seattle & King County in Washington State, expand on the latest overdose statistics from the CDC, and how addressing these trends can help us better support individuals with substance use disorder. Assistant Secretary Levine offers insight into the federal response, which addresses the four pillars of prevention, harm reduction, treatment, and recovery. Working on the frontlines of the opioid crisis in Seattle, Brad shares his experience building community-first strategies to combat overdoes and the toll that increased drug use has had in his region. Listen for more about how we can turn the tide on the opioid epidemic in the United States at all levels.

Resources:

Subscribe to the podcast on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, Google Podcasts, and iTunes.