Description
Book SynopsisBased on the NPT three-part mini series, Do No Harm: The Opioid Epidemic follows author and director, Harry Wiland as he works to unearth the history and truth behind America’s rampant opioid crisis, and investigates how this crisis ballooned into an epidemic fueled by Big Pharma’s ploys, the medical community’s obliviousness, and policymakers lack of oversight.
The Opioid Epidemic is the worst man-made drug epidemic in the history of our nation. More people die each year from an opioid drug overdose than in automobile accidents. The statistics are staggering. Do No Harm spotlights experts, journalists, and public health crusaders who are combating the special interests of Big Pharma and informing the world on how an aggressive pharmaceutical mass marketing campaign for the new drug OxyContin misled doctors and the public into our current crisis of death and addiction.
Wiland highlights the stories of those hit hardest by prescription opioid addiction and overdose death, and sheds light on how whole communities have been ravaged by the spread of addiction. Despite regional health experts, local government, law enforcement, journalists, and the DEA’s efforts to combat the epidemic, people continue to die at an alarming rate from prescription drug overdoses.
The chapters of this book chronicle this opioid epidemic in all its complexity from many perspectives including the plight of the millions of Americans who suffer from opioid addiction. People, young and old on the rocky road to recovery, tell their harrowing stories, current victories, and on-going struggles with the disease.
Trade ReviewExceptionally well organized and presented, Do No Harm: The Opioid Epidemic is one of those timely and relevant exposes that deserves as wide a readership as possible. Impressively informative, and unreservedly recommended for community, college, and university library." –Midwest Book Review
Table of ContentsForeword by Dr. Georges Benjamin Preface by Dr. Andrew Kolodny Introduction Chapter 1: Origins of a Crisis Chapter 2: Ancient Times to Modern Medicine Chapter 3: The Science of Pain and Pain Management Chapter 4: Arthur Sackler and Medical Marketing Chapter 5: Purdue Pharma Chapter 6: The Disease of Addiction Chapter 7: PROP Chapter 8: Understanding Addiction Chapter 9: Medically Assisted Treatment (MAT) or Abstinence? Chapter 10: Public Health Campaigns and Legal Actions Chapter 11: The Beginning of the End? Chapter 12: Changing the Culture, Ending the Crisis Appendix Acknowledgments Index About the Author
