Cardin hosts opioid roundtable (Kent County News)

Friday Mar 23rd, 2018

Two years ago, U.S. Sen. Ben Cardin, D-Md., helped organize a roundtable discussion regarding the growing opioid epidemic in Maryland and throughout the United States, bringing health care professionals, law enforcement and nonprofit organizations together to share ideas on what has and has not worked in putting a dent in the crisis.

On March 19, those same professionals gathered again at Anne Arundel Medical Center for the same discussion as the opioid epidemic continues to surge. During the 90-minute long meeting, professionals shared ideas and methods, as well as industry and program shortcomings.

In Baltimore City, Health Department Senior Advisor Dr. Shelly Choo said more than 35,000 residents had been naloxone trained, saving 1,500 lives. Choo said the city is using a three-pillar approach to combating the epidemic.

Addressing the overdose deaths, the department educates the community about using naloxone, something Choo said everyone should have in their medicine cabinet, like Tylenol or Advil.

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When I’ve asked experts about these approaches, it’s not that any of them are bad. It’s that they fall short. For instance, Leana Wen, the former health commissioner of Baltimore (and soon-to-be president of Planned Parenthood), said that the Support for Patients and Communities Act “is simply tinkering around the edges.”

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