President Trump this week said that solving the opioid crisis is an “absolute priority” but rejected the advice of his commission on drug addiction, which asked that the crisis be declared a national emergency. Forum talks about what Trump’s decision means for efforts to combat the epidemic in California where hospitals treat an opioid overdose – from heroin or prescription painkillers – once every 45 minutes.
Guests:
Keith Humphreys, professor of psychiatry, Stanford School of Medicine
Jennifer Kent, director, California Department of Health Care Services
Kelly Pfeifer, director of High-Value Care team, California Health Care Foundation
Katie Bell, program manager for the medication assisted treatment program, Chapa-De Indian Health in Auburn and Grass Valley