The Opioid Crisis and Mortality in Hazard, Kentucky

This chapter examines the severe impact of the opioid epidemic in Hazard, Kentucky, a former coal town, highlighting personal stories of addiction and the rise in overdose deaths. It discusses the broader implications of young mortality rates in America, particularly due to fentanyl and other health-related issues, while comparing life expectancy trends with Europe. The narrative calls for government intervention and policy changes to address the alarming mortality rates in rural areas, exploring the balance between individual freedom and collective responsibility.