He calls the crisis ‘urgent,’complicated.’
Frederick, Md (KM) Since he was sworn into office, Congressman David Trone (D-Md) has been working on the trying to end the opioid epidemic in the country. He has been touring the 6th District this week to gain insights on the issue. “It’s not a white, black or brown issue. It’s not rich or poor,” he says. “It’s everybody. Over 72,000 people died last year. It’s almost 200 everyday.”
During his tour, Congressman Trone learned about NARCAN training by local elected officials; visited the Head Start in Frederick to learn about the affects of addictions in parents on children. He also visited a drug court in Montgomery County, and the Wells/Robertson House in Gaithersburg. for a discussion with people in recovery.
On Thursday evening at 6:00 PM, Trone will take part in a Opioid Epidemic Workshop with special guest Lt. Gov. Boyd Rutherford. It will be held at the Washington County Free Library in Hagerstown.
Trone says he lost his nephew three years ago due to a fentanyl overdose. “He had struggled with addictions for many years. He went through a lot of different problems that you see that come with addictions, the challenges on getting a job, getting housing; very important,” he says.
Trone says Americans need to get away from the stigma that come with opioid addictions. He’s it’s a public health concern, and treating it that way will encourage more people with addictions to get the help they need. . . “By the media talking about these issues and how widespread they are, and how they’re hurting so many people across America, it helps erase some of that stigma and that’s a step in the right direction,” he says.
“Frankly, law enforcement really understands that well,” says Trone. “But we need the general population to understand it more clearly.”
During his tour, a website was launched dealing with the opioid crisis. (www.endtheaddictioncrisis.com). “We want to hear ideas and stories of folks who’ve been affected by the epidemic. The more folks can talk about it and read about what’s happened to other people, they’re going to get more comfortable about sharing their stories,” says Trone.
By Kevin McManus