There is a drug, Buprenorphine, commonly known as Suboxone among opioid addicts and their loved ones. Some believe it is a “miracle” drug and some think it is just another opioid to be misused and abused. In a NY Times article last weekend titled “Addiction Treatment With a Dark Side”, we learn about both sides and hear from addiction professionals as well as addicts on this topic.
This is a very controversial, yet timely topic. Denise receives many questions about this drug from her audience as well as the general public, and hopes this show will be the beginning of clearing up some of the confusion. Because the article just ran in the NY Times and many people are asking about it, it is important that as many people who want to hear the interview can. Many people are busy with family and friends during this week, Thanksgiving week, so in order to give everyone a chance to listen and learn, this show will be the current show posted for 2 weeks, Thanksgiving week and the next week.
Denise interviews Dr. Andrew Kolodny, a featured expert in this Times article. Denise interviews him this week with questions from her audience as well as her own questions. Dr. Kolodny, a nationally recognized psychiatrist and public health advocate, has consistently spoken out about pressing health crises, becoming a leading advocate for policy measures to reduce our nation’s prescription drug abuse epidemic. While Medical Director for Special Projects in the Office of the Executive Deputy Commissioner for the New York City Department of Health and Mental Hygiene, he helped develop and implement multiple programs to improve the health of New Yorkers and save lives, including city-wide buprenorphine programs, naloxone overdose prevention programs, and emergency room-based screening, brief intervention and referral to treatment programs for drug and alcohol misuse. He is currently the President of Physicians for Responsible Opioid Prescribing (PROP).
NY Times article link: http://www.nytimes.com/2013/11/17/health/in-demand-in-clinics-and-on-the-street-bupe-can-be-savior-or-menace.html?nl=todaysheadlines&emc=edit_th_20131117&_r=0
Dr. Andrew Kolodny link: http://www.phoenixhouse.org/news-an
d-views/news-and-events/phoenix-house-appoints-dr-andrew-kolodny-as-chief-medical-officer/