The Big News

A $260 million settlement between four drug companies and two Ohio counties averted a trial over who is to blame for the opioid crisis. The tentative deal, announced by Judge Dan A. Polster, cleared the way for broader talks aimed at resolving thousands of opioid-addiction cases nationwide, which have been consolidated into a single lawsuit there in Ohio. In fact, four state attorneys general already are now pursuing a $48 billion settlement with the companies involved.

Purdue Pharma, perhaps the company most blamed for the crisis in the court of public opinion, is no longer part of the Ohio case because it declared bankruptcy. A committee that includes recovery advocates and is helping to guide Purdue’s bankruptcy proceeding had previously suggested that the Ohio case wait and follow the lead of the bankruptcy court, which no longer appears likely. 

Here’s a guide to the massive (and massively complex) legal fights taking place on multiple fronts.

If it's not one drug, it's another. Most often, it’s multiple substances. That's why it's so important to characterize America's No. 1 public health problem as an addiction crisis, not just an opioid overdose epidemic. As advocates, we must keep making that point so that policy solutions and public funding, including proceeds from the opioid litigation, do not miss the broader underlying issue. Meth use, for example, continues to surge in many areas of Minnesota and Wisconsin. The best investments at this point are in expanding and improving the systemic infrastructure for addressing addiction, and people’s access to it. We need to get more people into long-term recovery from all drugs so they have the opportunity to survive and thrive.

After a landmark federal ruling, it’s unclear when Philadelphia will become the first city in America to open a legal supervised injection site—perhaps even two sites—but organizers say they are committed. While not binding on other jurisdictions, the decision may also embolden other cities like Denver, Boston, Seattle, San Francisco and New York—all of which have strong advocates for such sites and more confidence now that they can successfully face any court challenges of their own.

It’s National Addiction Treatment Week! Be sure to express your gratitude to the professionals who are working with patients day in and day out to help them initiate a new life in recovery!

The DEA's Take Back Day initiative helps get unused and unwanted prescription medications out of circulation and safely disposed. For the next National Take Back Day—this Saturday, Oct. 26—drop-off locations will also accept vaping devices and cartridges. Find the location closest to you.

This week’s featured media is the latest epidode in our Let’s Talk podcast with host William C. Moyers talking to psychotherapist Paul Hokemeyer, PhD, about his book, Fragile Power: Why Having Everything Is Never Enough. Dr. Hokemeyer, known for his work with the rich and famous, explains why insecurity, shame and emotional pain are part of the human condition, no matter the size of your fan base or bank account. More important, he shares that empathy (available to everyone) is the true super power because it fosters mutual understanding, connection and authenticity. Watch, listen or read.

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Treatment Industry Issues and Reforms

SAMHSA published new recovery housing best practices and suggested guidelines in a report that was called for in opioid legislation we supported last year. It’s nice to see a focus on the need for more housing conducive to people on medications. Learn more →

A new bill in Congress would allow Medicare coverage for addiction counseling, which would be a huge reform and expansion of access.

In another vivid indictment of the addiction-treatment and sober-home industry in southeast Florida, a former patient writes powerfully in The New Yorker about, “My Years in the Florida Shuffle of Drug Addiction.” His article portrays the fraud, patient brokering and other unethical practices that prompted Hazelden Betty Ford two years ago to begin speaking up about the need for reforms in our industry. Meanwhile, Palm Beach County Attorney Dave Aronberg’s Sober Homes Task Force, a joint effort between prosecutors and local law enforcement, continues its efforts to crack down on fraud and abuse in the area.

Florida enacted an anti-kickback, or anti-patient-brokering, law in 2017 that gave police the authority to arrest unethical providers and operators. Since then, similar laws have been enacted in Arizona, California, New York, Tennessee and Utah. With Hazelden Betty Ford’s support, Congress also passed a federal patient brokering ban in 2018, but it is not as broad as state laws can be. So, many states are now wary of unethical providers moving into their states and are considering anti-patient-brokering laws of their own.

Cannabis

The New York Times dives into the shadowy past and dangerous present of marijuana and vaping. Learn more →

After 18 months of shooting Pot Luck: The Altered State of Colorado—due out in December—filmmaker Jane Wells says she no longer supports marijuana legalization and, in this article, provides seven reasons why other supporters ought to rethink their position, too.

Jamaica wants to export cannabis to many countries, but it is having trouble because its banking system is inextricably linked to America’s. 

Cannabis is trendy across the globe, but experts—even as far away as Hong Kong—are sounding alarms about the misperception that marijuana is not addictive and safe.

Opioids

While America’s opioid crisis has spread to some other parts of the world, Germany has managed to avoid it with different approaches to health care, pain management and substance use treatment. Learn more →

Other treatment centers that utilize Twelve Step principles and practices are following our lead by also integrating pharmacotherapy in the treatment of opioid use disorder and working to destigmatize the use of medication in recovery.

The founder and CEO of drug disposal company DisposeRx, John Waldron Holaday, was killed in a tragic, random gunshot incident.

Alcohol

A growing number of young adults—2 in 5—are dealing with a substance use disorder, and in some cases, multiple substance use disorders, and not seeking help, according to a study. Learn more →

A new study found that having one to two drinks daily increases a person’s risk of developing an irregular heartbeat condition more than binge drinking on weekends does.

Health Care Reform and Parity

A positive sign: Blue Cross Blue Shield has added substance use treatment and recovery as one of the top 11 disease conditions it aims to address in 2020. Addiction needs to be prioritized. Learn more →

Dr. Karen DeSalvo, a former health official in the Obama administration, has been named the new head of Google Health, a personal record service that allows users to store and manage their healthcare information online. Last month, Google's parent company, Alphabet, hired former FDA Commissioner Robert Califf to lead Google Health's strategy and policy team. Both Califf and DeSalvo will begin their roles later this year as Google takes a deeper dive into the healthcare industry.

Massachusetts Gov. Charlie Baker is proposing a health care overhaul focused on improving primary care and behavioral health, and reducing costs. Despite the state’s increased investment in behavioral health care, he says, “Consumers consistently report long waits for appointments, lack of treatment available at the right time and at the right place, and difficulty finding providers who take insurance.”

Michael Jordan, former basketball star, spends $7 million and opens the first of two clinics to care for uninsured people in his hometown of Charlotte, N.C.

Advocate Spotlight Congratulations to our very own William C. Moyers, who recently celebrated 25 years of recovery with a brief reflection on his journey and the North Star that continues to guide him—gratitude. Learn more →

Advocates Se-ah-dom Edmo and Tony Vezina implore Oregon Gov. Kate Brown to take immediate and forceful action to address the state’s addiction crisis.

In an interview that kicks off an eight-part Glassdoor podcast series called “In Pursuit,” Brené Brown talks about her career journey, how she navigates sobriety while in the limelight, and her biggest career lessons. Brown is the author of The Gifts of Imperfection, a Hazelden Publishing title, and other bestsellers.

Miscellaneous Musings Our colleague Jerry Moe spoke to KQ Morning Show host Tom Barnard about Sesame Workshop's new initiative on parental addiction and the Hazelden Betty Ford Children’s Program.

He and colleague Dan Simmons also spread the news about resources for children on a Florida TV station. Learn more →

• We’re excited that CBS This Morning is hosting a Mental Health Townhall on Wednesday!

• Our CEO Mark Mishek discussed Hazelden Betty Ford’s 70^th anniversary with Eric Eskola and Cathy Wurzer, hosts of Almanac, a public affairs show on Twin Cities Public Television.

• Congrats to our own Emily Piper, who was selected to participate in the inaugural Minnesota Young American Leaders Program, which grew from a partnership among the Itasca Project, the University of Minnesota’s Center for Integrative Leadership, and the Harvard Business School. The intensive, three-day program will convene 50 rising leaders from across business, nonprofit organizations and government to focus on inclusive economic development and the challenges and opportunities of common concern to all generations across the state.

• In Minnesota, fewer students are drinking alcohol, smoking cigarettes or smoking marijuana, but many more are vaping.

• After the Unite to Face Addiction concert and rally in 2015, we floated the idea of a Peace Corps for recovery support workers. Since then, the Recovery Corps concept has been born within Americorps-funded agencies. Now, the drumbeat is building for a Peace Corps for all sorts of caregivers. There is still so much unrealized opportunity for this in the recovery space.

• Some reflections from our Recovery Friendly Workplace Summit, held last week in Seattle. Here too is a recent podcast discussion on early learnings from the state-supported Recovery Friendly Workplace Initiative in New Hampshire, which has helped inspire efforts like our event in Seattle.

• Interesting article here about how big business shapes our habits and desires, and fuels addiction.

• Addiction isn’t the only health issue on which doctors are under-trained. Our diets are killing us, too, and physicians aren’t trained to help with that either.

• Our friend, colleague and fellow advocate David Campbell, who emcees hazelfest, helped the team behind State., a high school hockey documentary, win a Regional Emmy with his “dreamy voice” and “goose bump inducing delivery.”

• In his latest blog post, William White reflects on imagery associated with addiction and recovery, and reminds that the disease cannot be viewed as a matter of either choice or chemistry. “We should never forget that addiction and recovery are measured not in the absolutes of either/or but in devolving and evolving degrees of lost and regained freedom,” he writes.

• Thank you for reading. What do you think? Send us a note anytime, and have a great week!