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    Back to To the Point

    To the Point

    Opioids, doctors and drug addiction

    Drug overdose become the leading cause of death in America, and President Trump has declared a "national emergency." The White House has yet to explain what that means, but there's no doubt doctors have over-prescribed opioids once thought to be safe for treating severe pain. The cure has been worse than the problem.

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    By Warren Olney • Sep 29, 2017 • 1 min read

    Drug overdose become the leading cause of death in America, and President Trump has declared a "national emergency." The White House has yet to explain what that means, but there's no doubt doctors have over-prescribed opioids once thought to be safe for treating severe pain. The cure has been worse than the problem. Opioids are so addictive that patients are driven to illegal drugs, and there's an epidemic of deadly overdoses. We go to the hardest hit place in the country, learn how doctors are cracking down on their colleagues and how Washington might — or might not — help out.

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      Warren Olney

      former KCRW broadcaster

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      Yael Even Or

      Producer, 'Press Play'

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      Devan Schwartz

      Producer

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      Evan George

      Director of Content, News

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      German Lopez

      senior correspondent for Vox focused on criminal justice, guns and drugs

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      Drema Mace

      West Virginia School of Osteopathic Medicine

    • KCRW placeholder

      Marty Makary

      Johns Hopkins School of Medicine

      NewsNationalPolitics
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