Along with (left to right) Assistant Secretary for Mental Health and Substance Use Elinore McCance-Katz, Health and Human Services Secretary Alex Azar, and Assistant Secretary for Health Brett Giroir; I was pleased to take part in a news conference on April 18, 2019 to announce the awardees for our HEALing Communities Study. The study will aim to reduce opioid overdose deaths dramatically in some of our nation’s hardest-hit communities. Credit: HHS
Don’t most opioid-related deaths involve illicit drugs? Not prescribed to the deceased; perhaps most from black markets? How often can we reasonably ascertain accidental v. suicidal, or even murder? Do autopsies typically rule out lethal allergic reactions to either opioids themselves? other meds? Whatever black market opioids are laced with?
Very good event
Don’t most opioid-related deaths involve illicit drugs? Not prescribed to the deceased; perhaps most from black markets? How often can we reasonably ascertain accidental v. suicidal, or even murder? Do autopsies typically rule out lethal allergic reactions to either opioids themselves? other meds? Whatever black market opioids are laced with?