N.H. voters prioritize opioid crisis
OAN’s Zach Petersen
11:29 AM – Wednesday, January 17, 2024
Voters in New Hampshire are eager to hear how presidential candidates plan to tackle the state’s opioid epidemic.
As the primary approaches, many residents feel that the issue of the opioid epidemic was discussed prominently in 2016 but has since been neglected.
The 45th President, Donald Trump, once referred to New Hampshire as a “drug-infested den” and suggested using the military against drug cartels.
However, some believe that a different approach is necessary, one that focuses on treatment rather than solely cutting off the supply.
“I honestly just want to see change in people be proactive rather than reactive,” said Kristina Amyot, who battled opioid addiction for 18 years. “And I feel like every four years it gets talked about and then it gets lost. We don’t really do much with it and that’s something needs to change. Because this should be, like, one of the top priorities. There’re so many people dying. There’s so many people struggling.”
New Hampshire currently has the second highest drug overdose death rate in the nation.
In 2022, the state witnessed nearly a record-breaking 486 deaths due to drug overdose.
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What are the arguments for a different approach to tackling the opioid epidemic in New Hampshire, focusing on treatment and recovery rather than solely law enforcement efforts?
S one of the highest rates of opioid overdose deaths in the United States. According to data from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), the state had a rate of 37.1 overdose deaths per 100,000 people in 2020. This crisis has devastated families and communities throughout the state and is in desperate need of attention from politicians and policymakers.
In the 2016 presidential election, the opioid epidemic was a major talking point among candidates. New Hampshire, with its first-in-the-nation primary, became a focal point for discussions on how to address the issue. However, since then, many residents feel that the problem has been overshadowed and neglected.
President Donald Trump made headlines when he referred to New Hampshire as a “drug-infested den” during a phone call with the president of Mexico in 2017. While his statement drew attention to the severity of the opioid crisis in the state, it did little to offer concrete solutions.
Some argue that a different approach is necessary. Rather than focusing solely on cutting off the supply of drugs through law enforcement efforts, there needs to be an emphasis on treatment and recovery. This is a sentiment shared by many individuals who have personally experienced the devastating effects of addiction.
Kristina Amyot, a former opioid addict who battled addiction for 18 years, expresses her frustration with the lack of proactive measures in addressing the crisis. She emphasizes the need for change and prioritizes treatment as a crucial aspect of combating the epidemic. Amyot’s sentiment resonates with many others who believe that simply talking about the issue every four years during election cycles is not enough.
To truly tackle the opioid epidemic in New Hampshire, a comprehensive and multi-faceted approach is needed. This includes increasing access to affordable and quality treatment programs, expanding harm reduction strategies such as needle exchange programs, and implementing evidence-based prevention initiatives. Additionally, efforts should be made to address the underlying factors that contribute to addiction, such as mental health issues and economic instability.
It is crucial for presidential candidates and policymakers to prioritize the opioid crisis in their platforms and proposals. New Hampshire residents are eager to hear concrete plans on how candidates will address this pressing issue. Lives are at stake, and it is imperative that the next president takes decisive action to combat the opioid epidemic in New Hampshire and across the country.
In conclusion, the opioid epidemic in New Hampshire requires urgent attention and action from political leaders. Residents are looking for more than just rhetoric and promises. They want tangible solutions that prioritize treatment, recovery, and prevention. The next president must make this issue a top priority and commit to implementing effective strategies to save lives and help communities heal from the devastating effects of opioid addiction.
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