An estimated 2.1 million people in the United States suffer from substance use disorders related to prescription opioid pain relievers. Recently, The United States began waking up to the opioid epidemic that has been swiftly developing over the past two decades.
In terms of healthcare, there’s no doubt this is the biggest topic on every policy maker’s mind. Although well overdue, politicians are taking a stand on the opioid epidemic.
New Jersey Sues Purdue Pharma Over Pushing Opioids
New Jersey just made huge news by suing the Oxycontin maker, claiming they misled the public by pushing opioids to susceptible patients.
“The state claims Purdue exploited vulnerable new markets, including the elderly and the “opioid-naïve,” to boost profits. It claims Purdue aggressively marketed opioids and duped doctors and the public into believing they should be the primary treatment option for chronic conditions — like arthritis and migraines — despite the lack of any studies examining treatment periods longer than 12 weeks.”
Without a doubt, the issues within the opioid companies lie beyond the addictive nature of the drug itself. With manufacturers pushing this drug without the conscience of patient health, there is clearly a two-part problem. New Jersey is one of the leading states calling out big pharmaceutical companies for paving the path of an opioid-addicted America.
President Trump Recognizes The Need For Telemedicine
Donald Trump made headlines discussing the national emergency of opioid addiction. Say what you will about the president, but his announcement raised major awareness on the crisis.
“No part of our society — not young or old, rich or poor, urban or rural — has been spared this plague of drug addiction and this horrible, horrible situation that’s taken place with opioids,” Mr. Trump said during an elaborate and emotional ceremony in the East Room of the White House, attended by families affected by opioid abuse, members of Congress and administration officials. “This epidemic is a national health emergency.”
Trump sparked a national conversation about the importance of telemedicine development. Telemedicine is the remote diagnosis and treatment of patients by means of telecommunications technology. This is key as it allows easier access for patients to seek the help they need, regardless of geography. Thousands of patients need help with their medical condition but live in rural areas that make it hard to get the proper treatment necessary. As President Trump highlighted, telemedicine is the bridge to treat these rural areas.
What Else Can Be Done?
To end this ruthless addiction, opioid use needs to decrease. At the same time, patients still need pain relief, one of the major draws of opioid use in the first place. That’s where medical marijuana comes in.
Medical marijuana has already shown great promise in being a major factor in ending the opioid epidemic. Marijuana can be effective in relieving pain due to its natural chemical properties. With marijuana, many patients are either reducing their intake of opioids or ending it altogether.
“Hospitalization rates for opioid painkiller dependence and abuse dropped on average 23 percent in states after marijuana was permitted for medicinal purposes, the analysis found. Hospitalization rates for opioid overdoses dropped 13 percent on average.”
This research, stats, and patient stories cannot go ignored. Medical marijuana is making a huge difference for the millions of patients and communities who are dealing with the opioid epidemic.
Are you or a loved one interested in seeing if medical marijuana is right for you? Get your medical marijuana card with PrestoDoctor online today.
