Written by James Fotis, President of the National Center for Police Defense
The opioid crisis continues to ravage communities across America, claiming lives and destroying families at an alarming rate. As we grapple with the fallout, it's becoming increasingly clear that ending this crisis will require a concerted effort from multiple sectors of government and society.
A recent survey commissioned by PAX sapiens and conducted by YouGov has shed light on the complex web of responsibility surrounding the opioid crisis. When asked to identify who is to blame, respondents distributed culpability across various actors, including users, the U.S. federal government, pharmaceutical companies, doctors, and international entities such as China and Mexico.
This diverse attribution of blame underscores the multifaceted nature of the problem, and the need for a coordinated response.
To date, many enforcement efforts have focused on holding pharmaceutical companies accountable for their alleged role in fueling the crisis. These legal actions have resulted in more than $55 billion in awards to state and local governments, with the most notable being the $26 billion settlement reached in February of 2022 with a manufacturer and several distributors of opioids.
While these funds will undoubtedly be crucial in combating the opioid crisis, it's time to shift the focus from legal action to effectively deploying these resources in our communities.
This transition has finally started in earnest. Baltimore, one of the last notable holdouts to the initial settlement, has finally reached terms that will allow it to ultimately avoid obstruction that could have hampered broader nationwide progress. As the city’s sprawling lawsuit goes to court, just two of the many defendants who had claims filed against them are still involved in the litigation.
This is a promising development, but given its distinction as the "U.S. Overdose Capital" by the New York Times, Baltimore should work to secure expeditious settlements with those remaining companies.
It's worth noting that a deeper dig into the PAX sapiens survey revealed that when respondents were asked to select a single group most responsible for the opioid crisis other than users themselves, criminal cartels were most frequently identified.
This finding highlights two critical areas of focus that law enforcement is uniquely suited to address: targeting the supply chain of illicit fentanyl that has caused the majority of overdose-related deaths and helping those who have an addiction secure the help that they need.
Bolstered by the settlement funds now flowing into local coffers, law enforcement agencies across the country are already implementing promising strategies to address the opioid crisis. From community policing initiatives that focus on prevention and education to specialized units dedicated to investigating and dismantling drug trafficking networks, these efforts demonstrate the vital role that law enforcement can play in a comprehensive approach to the problem.
Moreover, many departments are partnering with healthcare providers and social services to implement diversion programs that prioritize treatment over incarceration and to provide additional resources for individuals struggling with addiction. The county of Milwaukee, for example, just approved $8.5 million in grants to support efforts to fight the opioid crisis, including the PATH project, which will provide upstream and downstream opioid use disorder resources to pre- and post-incarcerated populations.
Such collaborative efforts will not only help to reduce the strain on our criminal justice system but will also provide a path to recovery for those caught in the cycle of addiction.
As we confront this national emergency, it's clear that no single entity or approach will be sufficient to end the opioid crisis. However, we can make significant strides in addressing this complex issue by embracing a collaborative model that leverages the strengths of various stakeholders – including law enforcement, healthcare providers, community organizations, and government agencies.
Fortunately, it appears with this most recent development that legal battles and bureaucratic hurdles will not impede our progress in saving lives and healing communities.
By working together and utilizing the resources already secured through settlements, we can implement comprehensive, evidence-based strategies that address both the supply and demand sides of the opioid crisis. Only through such a unified and multifaceted approach can we hope to turn the tide on this devastating epidemic and build a healthier, more resilient nation for future generations.
The opioid crisis continues to ravage communities across America, claiming lives and destroying families at an alarming rate. As we grapple with the fallout, it's becoming increasingly clear that ending this crisis will require a concerted effort from multiple sectors of government and society.
A recent survey commissioned by PAX sapiens and conducted by YouGov has shed light on the complex web of responsibility surrounding the opioid crisis. When asked to identify who is to blame, respondents distributed culpability across various actors, including users, the U.S. federal government, pharmaceutical companies, doctors, and international entities such as China and Mexico.
This diverse attribution of blame underscores the multifaceted nature of the problem, and the need for a coordinated response.
To date, many enforcement efforts have focused on holding pharmaceutical companies accountable for their alleged role in fueling the crisis. These legal actions have resulted in more than $55 billion in awards to state and local governments, with the most notable being the $26 billion settlement reached in February of 2022 with a manufacturer and several distributors of opioids.
While these funds will undoubtedly be crucial in combating the opioid crisis, it's time to shift the focus from legal action to effectively deploying these resources in our communities.
This transition has finally started in earnest. Baltimore, one of the last notable holdouts to the initial settlement, has finally reached terms that will allow it to ultimately avoid obstruction that could have hampered broader nationwide progress. As the city’s sprawling lawsuit goes to court, just two of the many defendants who had claims filed against them are still involved in the litigation.
This is a promising development, but given its distinction as the "U.S. Overdose Capital" by the New York Times, Baltimore should work to secure expeditious settlements with those remaining companies.
It's worth noting that a deeper dig into the PAX sapiens survey revealed that when respondents were asked to select a single group most responsible for the opioid crisis other than users themselves, criminal cartels were most frequently identified.
This finding highlights two critical areas of focus that law enforcement is uniquely suited to address: targeting the supply chain of illicit fentanyl that has caused the majority of overdose-related deaths and helping those who have an addiction secure the help that they need.
Bolstered by the settlement funds now flowing into local coffers, law enforcement agencies across the country are already implementing promising strategies to address the opioid crisis. From community policing initiatives that focus on prevention and education to specialized units dedicated to investigating and dismantling drug trafficking networks, these efforts demonstrate the vital role that law enforcement can play in a comprehensive approach to the problem.
Moreover, many departments are partnering with healthcare providers and social services to implement diversion programs that prioritize treatment over incarceration and to provide additional resources for individuals struggling with addiction. The county of Milwaukee, for example, just approved $8.5 million in grants to support efforts to fight the opioid crisis, including the PATH project, which will provide upstream and downstream opioid use disorder resources to pre- and post-incarcerated populations.
Such collaborative efforts will not only help to reduce the strain on our criminal justice system but will also provide a path to recovery for those caught in the cycle of addiction.
As we confront this national emergency, it's clear that no single entity or approach will be sufficient to end the opioid crisis. However, we can make significant strides in addressing this complex issue by embracing a collaborative model that leverages the strengths of various stakeholders – including law enforcement, healthcare providers, community organizations, and government agencies.
Fortunately, it appears with this most recent development that legal battles and bureaucratic hurdles will not impede our progress in saving lives and healing communities.
By working together and utilizing the resources already secured through settlements, we can implement comprehensive, evidence-based strategies that address both the supply and demand sides of the opioid crisis. Only through such a unified and multifaceted approach can we hope to turn the tide on this devastating epidemic and build a healthier, more resilient nation for future generations.
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