Freakonomics Radio 590. Can $55 Billion End the Opioid Epidemic?
27 snips
May 30, 2024 
Stephen Loyd, Chief Medical Officer of Cedar Recovery and Chair of the Tennessee Opioid Abatement Council, discusses the ambitious $55 billion allocated to tackle the opioid crisis. He highlights the need for data-driven strategies and effective fund allocation that prioritize prevention and community involvement. Loyd also addresses the stigma surrounding addiction and draws parallels to past public health crises, emphasizing innovative treatment solutions. The conversation questions whether the financial influx will truly make a difference in combating the epidemic.
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Stigma Remains
- Stephen Loyd, an addiction recovery specialist, hasn't seen a decrease in stigma around addiction.
- He notes that despite addiction being recognized as a disease long ago, it's still widely perceived as a moral failing.
Doctor's Personal Experience
- Stephen Loyd, chief medical officer at Cedar Recovery, treats opioid addiction.
- He himself is 20 years into recovery, having been addicted to OxyContin.
Fentanyl and Brain Function
- The increasing presence of fentanyl in the drug supply doesn't decrease demand because addiction alters brain function.
- Addicted individuals lose frontal lobe access, impacting insight, judgment, and empathy, making the danger less of a deterrent.