in my VIEW Opioid epidemic reaches crisis proportions Two-thirds of all people that ever hit the age of 65 years old in the history of the world are alive today. In the United States alone, approximately 10,000 per day turn 65. Those are staggering demographic statistics that will impact the U.S. economy and public policy in areas like health care, employment and more. But those demographics also speak head on to another point. People are living longer than ever due to advances in science, medicine and technology. That has been the case until now. For the first time in nearly 50 years, life expectancy in the United States decreased instead of increased. Why? The opioid crisis. So many people have died from opioid related use that it has pushed down life expectancy rates in MICHAEL G. SARAFA SPECIAL TO THE CHALDEAN NEWS the U. S in a material way. More than 140 Americans die every day from an opioid overdose, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Consider the following statistics from the American Society of Addiction Medicine. The information is dated so you can assume everything is actually worse today. Drug overdose is the leading cause of accidental death in the US, with 52,404 lethal drug overdoses in 2015. Opioid addiction is driving this epidemic, with 20,101 overdose deaths related to prescription pain relievers, and 12,990 overdose deaths related to heroin in 2015. From 1999 to 2008, overdose death rates, sales and substance use disorder treatment admissions related to prescription pain relievers increased in parallel. The overdose death rate in 2008 was nearly four times the 1999 rate; sales of prescription pain relievers in 2010 were four times those in 1999; and the substance use disorder treatment admission rate in 2009 was six times the 1999 rate. In 2012, 259 million prescriptions were written for opioids, which is more than enough to give every American adult their own bottle of pills. Four in five new heroin users started out misusing prescription painkillers. 94% of respondents in a 2014 survey of people in treatment for opioid addiction said they chose to use heroin because prescription opioids were far more expensive and harder to obtain. This past October, President Trump declared a public health emergency to deal with the opioid epidemic, freeing up significant resources for treatment. “We are currently dealing with the worst drug crisis in American history,” Trump said, adding, “It’s just been so long in the making. We can be the generation that ends the opioid epidemic.” Still, critics have said it’s not enough. There is not any earmarked funds but rather the ability to use existing resources within the various departments and agencies. A more serious approach would have been to declare a “national emergency” as opposed to “public health emergency” which carries with it more immediate tools including funding. I agree with critiques of the current approach. This crisis touches on many areas from mental health to out of control doctors and pharmacists. A holistic approach is needed and one that is truly grounded in public health concerns as opposed to criminal justice remedies. The last war on drugs had minimal positive consequences. Let’s make sure we get it right this time and address the demand side of the equation. Michael Sarafa is Co-publisher of the Chaldean News. CUSTOM STONE WORKS 32910 Plymouth Rd Livonia, MI 48150 734-427-8158 • www.CSWSTONE.com • Limestone • Veneer Stone • Commercial • Residential FULLY-AUTOMATED • QUICK LEAD TIMES 10 CHALDEAN NEWS FEBRUARY 2018
where do you STAND? In the Balance Hollywood, big business, national news personalities – no one and no institutions have been spared from the #Metoo movement. That is a good thing. These institutions have been exposed for what they are—elitist organizations or industries that use power, fame and money in the most heinous way possible. The people in these industries and organizations protect and enable each other in a way that is the height of hypocrisy. Some of the perpetrators are criminals. Some are just creeps. In either case, the fact that they have been exposed is leading to a cultural revolution that can only mean better and more equal times for women. As the father of two teenage daughters, I applaud this. But let’s us not belittle and demean the women who have been subjected to this type of behavior from men by cheapening it to the point that the die is cast so wide as to lose all meaning. I read this quote and I believe it to be on point. I wrote it down but forgot where I read it or who wrote it. We are in a national moment where rough justice stands in the place of careful analysis, nuance and due process. So while some of these men deserve what they are getting plus some, including criminal investigations, it is possible that some do not. As one observer pointed out in the case of comedian Aziz Ansari who was accused of sexual assault by a woman who pursued him and then went on a date with him – “Was it sexual assault or just a bad date.” Ansari and his representatives maintain that everything that occurred was consensual. Who will ever know for sure? In the balance lies the struggle between justice for women and due process for those accused; perception and reality; creepiness and criminal conduct; exploitation by men and exploitation by women looking for an angle. Most of what has been reported on publicly and the national news is revolting and disgusting. Much of the abuse has been committed by men against women who they have influence on or over. As I said, much of it may rise to criminal activity which is what it is, in spite of the statute of limitations for sexual assault. But then there is this vast area of grey where signals and interpretations are often in the eye of the beholder. Rough justice is ok sometimes. There’s something innately human about it. But we are still a country based on the rule of law. While there are exceptions, our system of justice works most of the time and we remain the most progressive democracy in the history of the world. So the legalities will take care of themselves. Most of the time one party or both is dissatisfied but, on balance, it works. The other half of the equation is not about the law but about fairness, and careers and livelihoods. Some of the #Metoo perpetrators deserve to have their careers wrecked. Some of their victims may never receive real justice just as some of the accused may have not fully deserve the repercussions. As a society and as a culture, we must take care to try to get it right. It is not easy. But the effort must be made, in all circumstances, to get to the truth. Michael Sarafa is Co-publisher of the Chaldean News. BMW OF ROCHESTER HILLS - Except Exceptional - Now taking orders for the ALL-NEW 2018 BMW M5 & X3 248-997-7700 BMW of Rochester Hills M59 & Dequindre Rd. Exit www.BMWofRochesterHills.com 2016 DEALER OF THE YEAR DealerRater ® BMW UNITED STATES 2014-2017 DEALER OF THE YEAR DealerRater ® BMW MICHIGAN FEBRUARY 2018 CHALDEAN NEWS 11
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