The Opioid Epidemic
The Opioid Epidemic
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Library Binding ©2018--
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Reference Point Press
Annotation: Addresses the use of opioid drugs such as fentanyl, hydrocodone, and oxycodone, and their legal and illegal use, the addictive nature of these drugs, and how to regulate their use and handle their use that has risen to epidemic proportions.
Genre: [Government]
 
Reviews: 4
Catalog Number: #146507
Format: Library Binding
Copyright Date: 2018
Edition Date: 2018 Release Date: 08/01/17
Pages: 80 pages
ISBN: 1-682-82299-0
ISBN 13: 978-1-682-82299-9
Dewey: 362.29
LCCN: 2017017982
Dimensions: 25 cm.
Language: English
Reviews:
Starred Review for Kirkus Reviews

Marcovitz offers a timely exploration of the issue. Marcovitz doesn't avoid the issues of race, class, and gender in this discussion, noting that the opioid epidemic is nothing new. What's happening is that it has primarily switched from the natural to the synthetic, broadened its market base, and so heightened its profile. The author uses numbers judiciously, allowing them weight—2,000,000 opioid addicts in the United States; a half-million heroin addicts—without emphasizing them so much that they become forgettable. He makes it real, with grim, everyday anecdotes. What is opium, why did people decide to strengthen its powers into laudanum and morphine, what is dopamine, what happens when we overstimulate the opioid receptors in our brains? Occasionally Marcovitz will drop a bomb ("a CDC report found that in some states, there are more opioid prescriptions than there are people") though he is a four-square humanist: he quotes a Canadian doctor as saying, "If you live with constant suffering that's not controlled, you have relatively few options. You either turn to the black market…or suicide, as the other option." Or, Marcovitz suggests, take out the greed and corruption fostered by draconian laws, put sensible controls in place, and deploy a seriously informed and funded program of prevention, treatment, and recovery. The book concludes with a list of resources. Both reasoned and impassioned. (notes, further research, index) (Nonfiction. 12-18)

Kirkus Reviews (Fri Oct 04 00:00:00 CDT 2024)

Marcovitz offers a timely exploration of the issue. Marcovitz doesn't avoid the issues of race, class, and gender in this discussion, noting that the opioid epidemic is nothing new. What's happening is that it has primarily switched from the natural to the synthetic, broadened its market base, and so heightened its profile. The author uses numbers judiciously, allowing them weight—2,000,000 opioid addicts in the United States; a half-million heroin addicts—without emphasizing them so much that they become forgettable. He makes it real, with grim, everyday anecdotes. What is opium, why did people decide to strengthen its powers into laudanum and morphine, what is dopamine, what happens when we overstimulate the opioid receptors in our brains? Occasionally Marcovitz will drop a bomb ("a CDC report found that in some states, there are more opioid prescriptions than there are people") though he is a four-square humanist: he quotes a Canadian doctor as saying, "If you live with constant suffering that's not controlled, you have relatively few options. You either turn to the black market…or suicide, as the other option." Or, Marcovitz suggests, take out the greed and corruption fostered by draconian laws, put sensible controls in place, and deploy a seriously informed and funded program of prevention, treatment, and recovery. The book concludes with a list of resources. Both reasoned and impassioned. (notes, further research, index) (Nonfiction. 12-18)

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Starred Review for Kirkus Reviews
Kirkus Reviews (Fri Oct 04 00:00:00 CDT 2024)
Wilson's High School Catalog
Wilson's Junior High Catalog
Bibliography Index/Note: Includes bibliographical references (pages 74-75) and index.
Word Count: 17,951
Reading Level: 8.9
Interest Level: 7-12
Accelerated Reader: reading level: 8.9 / points: 3.0 / quiz: 193056 / grade: Middle Grades
Reading Counts!: reading level:12.9 / points:7.0 / quiz:Q71756
Lexile: 1280L

When synthetic opioids were developed a quarter-century ago, many physicians believed the drugs would help alleviate the pain caused by severe injuries and debilitating diseases. But while the drugs do deaden pain, they can lead to devastating addiction as well as death through overdose. Meanwhile, the similar-acting but natural opiate heroin continues to be a much-abused illegal drug that threatens the lives of its users.


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