Easy fix: the opioid epidemic in New Orleans
 

Opioid overdoses are on the rise. There?s an easy-to-administer antidote. Louisiana law enforcement doesn?t carry it. OPIOID OVERDOSE DEATHS, PARTICULARLY FROM THE SYNTHETIC DRUG FENTANYL, ARE ON AN ALARMING UPWARD TREND ? It's the drug that killed Prince ? but the New Orleans Police Department (NOPD) has yet to issue officers naloxone, a drug which can revive an overdose victim in moments. In Louisiana, police have been permitted to carry and administer naloxone (brand name: Narcan) for nearly two years, but none do.?

Re: Easy fix: the opioid epidemic in New Orleans
 

The question is why do we have this epidemic in the country in the first place? What makes an individual become addicted? Are these same individuals also addicted to alcohol? Is it in their DNA? I have been prescribed opioids, in the past, and while I like they way they make you feel I have never been addicted to them. Likewise I don't drink alcohol on a daily basis either. The only thing I am addicted to is food and one has to eat in order to thrive. It seems like most of those addicted are younger, when the brain is not fully developed. I don't know what the answer is. I just hope the people who are smarter than me are working on it.