[♪♪] >> GOOD EVENING AND THANK YOU FOR JOINING US FOR THIS SPECIAL EDITION OF "KENTUCKY TONIGHT" HIGHLIGHTING CONVERSATIONS AND INSIGHTS FROM THE RECENT RX AND ILLICIT DRUG SUMMIT HELD IN NASHVILLE, TENNESSEE.

I’M RENEE SHAW.

TONIGHT, YOU’LL HEAR FROM STATE AND FEDERAL OFFICIALS, ADDICTION RESEARCHERS AND ADVOCATES AND THOSE IN RECOVERY.

SOME GOOD NEWS WAS SHARED AT THE CONFERENCE’S START• AN HISTORIC REDUCTION IN DRUG FATALITIES NATIONWIDE• THE FEWEST SINCE COVID-19 PANDEMIC.

WE’LL EXPLORE THE REASONS FOR THE DECREASE AND WHAT COULD COME NEXT IN PUBLIC POLICY AND RESEARCH.

FIRST, WE HEAR FROM DOUG EDWARDS, THE DIRECTOR OF THE HMP GLOBAL PSYCHIATRY AND BEHAVIORAL HEALTH LEARNING NETWORK.

ONE OF ITS SIGNATURE EVENTS INCLUDE THE RX AND ILLICIT DRUG SUMMIT THAT ATTRACTED THREE-THOUSAND PARTICIPANTS ACROSS THE NATION LAST WEEK.

THE RX SUMMIT IS A GATHERING OF STAKEHOLDERS FROM ACROSS THE COUNTRY TO DISCUSS WHAT'S WORKING IN PREVENTION, TREATMENT, DEFLECTION AND RECOVERY.

WE GET ALL TYPES OF PEOPLE AT THE RX SUMMIT.

WE GET PUBLIC HEALTH OFFICIALS WHO ARE WORKING TO DEVELOP PREVENTION PROGRAMS IN THEIR COMMUNITIES.

WE GET TREATMENT OPERATORS AND CLINICAL PEOPLE WHO ARE WORKING TO HELP HEAL PEOPLE WHO ARE SUFFERING FROM DRUG USE AND OTHER BEHAVIORAL HEALTH CONDITIONS.

WE GET LAW ENFORCEMENT THAT ARE LOOKING TO KEEP OUR COMMUNITY SAFE.

WE RECEIVE WE HAVE LAWMAKERS THAT COME AT THAT, YOU KNOW, SHARE WHAT THEY'RE WORKING ON FROM A POLICY PERSPECTIVE.

WE ALSO GET FAMILIES AND ADVOCATES, ALL DIFFERENT TYPES OF PEOPLE WORKING TOGETHER TO ADDRESS DRUG USE IN OUR COUNTRY.

WE ASK OUR SPEAKERS TO IDENTIFY WHAT'S WORKING IN THEIR COMMUNITIES.

WHAT EVIDENCE DO THEY HAVE THAT IT'S WORKING?

AND HOW CAN THOSE EFFORTS BE REPLICATED SO THAT OUR ATTENDEES FROM OTHER PARTS OF THE COUNTRY CAN TAKE BACK WHAT THEY LEARNED HERE AND IMPLEMENT IT IN THEIR COMMUNITIES?

SOME OF THE HOT TOPICS THAT WE'RE TALKING ABOUT THIS YEAR ARE RELATED TO PREVENTION, BEST PRACTICES, DEVELOPING CAMPAIGNS TO HELP YOUTH LIVE DRUG-FREE LIVES AND WE ALSO COVER TOPICS RELATED TO LAW ENFORCEMENT, BORDER SECURITY, THE LATEST TREATMENT BEST PRACTICES, POLICY CHANGES.

THESE ARE SOME OF THE HOT TOPICS PEOPLE ARE COMING TO NASHVILLE TO HEAR ABOUT.

>> KENTUCKY HAS A SPECIAL PLACE AT THE RX SUMMIT.

THE RX SUMMIT WAS FOUNDED BY CONGRESSMAN HAL ROGERS IN 2012 IN PARTNERSHIP WITH OPERATION UNITE, WHICH SERVES MULTIPLE COUNTIES THROUGHOUT THE COMMONWEALTH.

AND WE ARE SO HONORED AT HMP GLOBAL TO BE WORKING ALONGSIDE THEM IN ORDER TO ADDRESS THE COUNTRY'S OPIOID CRISIS.

USUALLY THE TOP STATE WITH ATTENDEES OR THE NUMBER TWO STATE IS KENTUCKY OR TENNESSEE.

SO THERE IS A REAL HEART HERE OF PEOPLE FROM THE APPALACHIAN REGION WHO ARE SHARING WHAT THEY'VE LEARNED, WHAT THEY HAVE FOUND SUCCESSFUL TO OTHER PARTS OF THE COUNTRY THAT ARE ALSO GRAPPLING WITH THE OPIOID AND ADDICTION CRISIS.

>> CONGRESSMAN HAL ROGERS OF KENTUCKY’S 5TH DISTRICT, AS YOU HEARD, STARTED THIS SUMMIT WELL OVER A DECADE AGO AS PART OF OPERATION UNITE IN EASTERN KENTUCKY• AN ORGANIZATION DEDICATED TO COMBATTING DRUG ADDICTION.

ROGERS SAYS THE RX SUMMIT HAS BROUGHT ABOUT GREATER COLLABORATION BETWEEN TREATMENT AND RECOVERY PROVIDERS, AND THE LEGAL COMMUNITY AND LAW ENFORCEMENT AT ALL LEVELS.

IT IS A PLEASURE TO TALK TO YOU ABOUTED SUCCESS.

DO YOU THINK IT WOULD BE THE SIZE, ATTENDANCE AND QUALITY CONVERSATIONS THAT YOU'RE HAVING LIKE WE SEE NOW?

>> NO, I DID NOT ANTICIPATE THE EXPLOSION OF THE NUMBERS OF PEOPLE.

BUT WHEN YOU CONSIDER WHO THESE PEOPLE ARE, THEY ARE MOTIVATED BY LOVE OF A FAMILY MEMBER WHO DIED FROM AN OVERDOSE PERHAPS.

A CHILD, A PARENT, WE'VE SEEN SO MUCH SUFFERING.

IN FACT IN ONE OF MY SURVEYS, WE FOUND OVER HALF OF KIDS ARE LIVING WITH THEIR GRANDS PARENT OR A PERSON OTHER THAN THEIR BIOLOGICAL PARENTS.

WHICH TELLS YOU THAT WE'VE GOT A REAL PROBLEM.

>> Renee: THAT IS SOMETHING, RIGHT?

THAT GRANT PARENTS ARE RAISING THEIR GRANDCHILDREN IN LARGE MEASURE DUE TO THIS.

I WANT TO TALK ABOUT GOOD NEWS ANNOUNCED ON THE FIRST DAY OF THE CONFERENCE ABOUT THE C.D.C.

LATEST REPORT NOW LET I WON'T BLOW THE LEAD BUT WHAT WAS THE GOOD NEWS?

>> THIS WAS GOOD NEWS FROM SOURCES TO THESE PEOPLE AT THIS CONVENTION AND OF COURSE, AROUND THE WORLD.

IN THE '24 NUMBERS, WE DECREASED THE NUMBER OF DEATHS FROM OVERDOSE ABOUT 30%.

>> Renee: IS THAT THE LARGEST INCREASE?

>> INCREDIBLE.

YES.

SO THAT SAYS TO ME KEEP UP THE GOOD WORK THAT YOU ARE ON THE RIGHT PATH.

AND I THINK WE ARE.

WE'RE SEEING PEOPLE COME HERE THAT'S NEVER BEEN TO SETTLING LIKE THIS BEFORE.

AND THEY ARE ENTHUSIASTIC.

AND THE SESSIONS WE JUST ENDED THEY WERE CHEERING VARIOUS MEMBERS OF THE CONGRESS WHO WERE HERE.

SO THERE IS ENTHUSIASM, THERE IS LOVE OF LIFE AND THERE'S PEOPLE READY TO GO TO WORK.

>> Renee: I SHOULD HAVE SAID DECREASE ON THAT 30% DECREASE.

DO YOU KNOW TO WHAT THAT IS ATTRIBUTABLE?

DO YOU KNOW WHAT IS CAUSING THAT DECLINE?

AND HOW DO YOU SUSTAIN THAT AND EVEN ACCELERATE THAT?

>> WELL, I THINK THERE'S GREAT NUMBER OF REASONS WHY IT TOOK PLACE.

ONE, I LIKE TO THINK THAT THIS SUMMIT THAT WE'VE DONE 14 STRAIGHT YEARS, GIVES PEOPLE THE CONFIDENCE TO TAKE THE NEXT STEP.

SO I THINK THIS WILLING WORKER SIGN UP PLACE WE HAVE HERE HELPS.

WITH THE HOLISTIC APPROACH.

UNITE STANDS FOR NARCOTICS, EDUCATION AND EDUCATION.

AND THEN THE BORDER, I THINK THE BETTER CONTROLLING OF THE BORDER IS KEEPING A LOT OF MEDICINE OUT OF HERE, THANK GOD.

BUT DEDICATED WORKERS AND PEOPLE LIKE YOURSELF WITH THE MEDIA THAT BROADCASTS GOOD NEWS EVEN BAD NEWS.

SO THANKS.

>> Renee: THANK YOU, SIR.

THANK YOU.

THERE WAS ALSO A RECENT REPORT, I UNDERSTAND, FROM THE F.D.A.

ABOUT NO LONGER ALLOWING BIG PHARMA TO SIT ON AN IMPORTANT BOARD.

EXPLAIN THAT AND WHY THAT IS SO SIGNIFICANT AT THIS PARTICULAR POINT IN TIME.

>> WELL, WE'VE GOT TO HAVE CREDITABILITY.

WE HAVE TO HAVE MERITS.

AND TRUTH.

AND YOU GOT TO HAVE GOVERNMENTAL AGENCIES THAT ARE FAIR AND UNBIASED.

F.D.A.

FEDERAL DRUG ADMINISTRATION DECIDES WHICH MEDICINES ARE ALLOWED TO BE SOLD TO THE PUBLIC.

AND THEY'VE HAD A PRACTICE OF ALLOWING PEOPLE WHO WANT TO SELL THEIR MEDICINES TO BE ADVISERS TO THE FEDERAL DRUG ADMINISTRATION.

CLEARLY THEY PROMOTE THEIR EMPLOYER.

THE PUBLIC NEEDS FAIRNESS AND TRUTH.

AND WE'RE NOT GETTING IT NOW FROM THOSE AGENCIES.

I FOUND OUT EARLY ON AT THIS SUMMIT, WE BROUGHT IN THE HEADS OF F.D.A.

AND VARIOUS OTHER AGENCIES, THE C.D.C., NIH AND THE HOSPITALS AND SO ON.

AND WE PRESSURED THIS GROUP QUESTIONED F.D.A.

TO CHANGE POLICIES ON SOME MATTERS.

WE DIDN'T GET THEM TO CHANGE THIS ONE.

BUT WE'RE JUST GETTING STARTED.

>> Renee: I DO WANT TO ASK YOU ABOUT A COMMENT THAT YOU MADE DURING A PANEL ON TUESDAY AT THE SUMMIT IN REGARDS TO THE D.E.A., THE DRUG ENFORCEMENT AGENCY AND THE DEPARTMENT OF JUSTICE AND WE KNOW AS THERE'S EVALUATION OF FEDERAL GOVERNMENT SPENDING THERE WAS A QUESTION POSED DURING THAT SESSION ABOUT WHAT THAT COULD MEAN FOR THE FUTURE DRUG CONTROL POLICY WHEN IT COMES TO RECOVERY CENTERS, PREVENTION, PERHAPS INTERDICTION TRAFFICKING.

WHERE DO YOU SEE AND MAYBE HOW ARE YOU ADVISING THE PRESIDENT WHEN IT COMES TO THIS PARTICULAR ISSUE AND TO PROTECT OR PERHAPS EVEN EXPAND THE RESOURCES THAT THE FEDERAL GOVERNMENT PROVIDES?

>> WELL, D.E.A., DRUG ENFORCEMENT ADMINISTRATION OUR PREMIER FEDERAL AGENCY FOR FIGHTING DRUGS, HAVE DONE A GREAT JOB.

IN FACT THEY'VE DONE SO WELL, THAT WHEN I WROTE THE BUDGET FOR THE JUSTICE DEPARTMENT FOR THIS YEAR, WE INCREASED FUNDING FOR D.E.A.

BUT WE DECREASED FUNDING ON OTHER AGENCIES WITHIN THE JUSTICE.

SO WE INCREASED D.E.A., BECAUSE THEY HAVE DONE A GOOD JOB.

AND WE'LL EVALUATE THEM AGAIN AS WE GET INTO THE BUDGET PROCESS THIS YEAR.

>> THE NATION’S FOREMOST RESEARCHER ON ADDICTION, DOCTOR NORA VOLKOW, HAS BROUGHT ABOUT GREATER UNDERSTANDING OF ADDICTION AS A BRAIN DISORDER.

SHE IS THE DIRECTOR OF THE NATIONAL INSTITUTE OF DRUG ABUSE.

SHE SAYS THE DRAMATIC REDUCTION IN OVERDOSE DEATHS FROM ALL DRUGS, INCLUDING FENTANYL, THAT EQUATE TO NEARLY 30-THOUSAND MORE PEOPLE ALIVE TODAY THAN COMPARED TO 12 MONTHS AGO ... HAS NEVER BEEN SEEN BEFORE.

DOCTOR VOLKOW CREDITS INTERVENTIONS LIKE OVERDOSE REVERSAL DRUGS WITH AIDING IN THAT DECLINE.

SHE’S ALSO ENCOURAGED BY WHAT SHE’S SEEING IN THE RESEARCH•.

THAT DIABETES AND WEIGHT LOSS MEDICATIONS LIKE OZEMPIC, MOUNJARO AND WEGOVY COULD ALSO HELP PEOPLE STRUGGLING WITH ADDICTION.

BECAUSE THERE HAVE BEEN MANY REPORTS ACROSS ALL OF THE WORLD OF PEOPLE THAT ARE GIVEN THESE MEDICATIONS THAT BASICALLY ALL OF US SAYS YOU KNOW, I DON'T FEEL LIKE DRINKING ANYMORE.

I DON'T FEEL LIKE SMOKING ANYMORE.

I DON'T FEEL LIKE TAKING COCAINE ANYMORE OR OPIOIDS.

SO THESE ANECDOTAL REPORTS LED RESEARCHERS TO LOOK INTO ELECTRONIC RECORDS TO SEE PEOPLE GIVEN THESE MEDICATIONS FOR TREATMENT OF DIABETES OR OBESITY ACTUALLY ARE SHOWING DIFFERENCES IN OUTCOMES RELATED TO STUB DISORDERS.

AND I'M SEXUAL ABUSE DISORDERS.

ED HAD AN OPIOID USE DISORDER AND HAD DIABETES OR OBESITY THAT WERE TREATED WITH THESE MEDICATIONS LIKE SEMAGLUTIDE OZEMPIC AND WEGOVY OR INSULIN AND METFORMIN AND THEY SHOWED REDUCTION IN OVERDOSES WITH PEOPLE TREATED WITH SEMAGLUTIDE.

THIS IS AN AREA THAT WE'RE TRYING TO ACCELERATE THE CLINICAL TRIALS TO DO THE RANDOMIZED CLINICAL TRIALS THAT ARE NECESSARY TO ACTUALLY DETERMINE THE EXTENT TO WHICH THESE MEDICATIONS CAN BE EFFICACIOUS FOR THE TREATMENT OF OPIOID USE DISORDER AND SIMILAR TRIALS ARE GOING ON FOR THE DETERMINING IF THEY ARE EFFECTIVE IN THE TREATMENT OF ALCOHOL USE DISORDER THAT RANDOMIZED CLINICAL TRIALS HAVE ALREADY SHOWN BENEFIT.

AND IF THE DATA TURNS OUT AS WE HOPE IT WILL, WE WILL HAVE THE FIRST TREATMENT FOR POLY SUBSTANCE USE DISORDER.

IT IS NOT TARGETING A SPECIFIC DRUG.

IT IS BASICALLY GOING AFTER SUBSTANCES THAT PRODUCE ADDICTIVE BEHAVIORS >> INTERESTING RESEARCH TO FOLLOW, INDEED• ALTHOUGH DR. VOLKOW EXPRESSES COME CAUTION TO ENSURE THE BENEFITS OUTWEIGH THE HARMS.

I CAUGHT UP WITH HER TO DISCUSS HER WORK ON THE SCIENCE OF ADDICTION AND WHAT ELSE IS STILL TO BE LEARNED.

DR. VOLKOW THANK YOU FOR YOUR TIME.

WITH THE TIME WE CAUGHT UP WITH YOU YOU HAD A FAN CLUB FOLLOWING YOU AND TALKING ABOUT THE STANDING OVATION THAT YOU JUST RECEIVED FOR YOUR PRESENTATION.

CAN YOU GIVE US THE READER'S DIGEST VERSION WHAT YOU SHARED WITH THE MASSIVE AUDIENCE HERE AT THE RX AND ILLICIT DRUG SUMMIT.

>> I WANTED TO GO OVER WHAT ARE THE THINGS THAT HAVE WORKED TO HELP DECREASE THE NUMBER OF PEOPLE THAT ARE DYING FROM OVERDOSES.

WHICH IS THE LARGEST REDUCTION WE'VE EVER SEEN IN ONE SINGLE YEAR.

MY VIEW WE NEED TO UNDERSTAND WHAT WORKS SO WE CAN EXPAND IT AND CONTINUE DOING IT.

WHAT I ALSO DID WAS BRING FORWARD WHAT ARE SOME OF THE CHALLENGES THAT WE CURRENTLY HAVE.

BECAUSE THERE'S STILL MORE THAN 82,000 PEOPLE DYING EVERY SINGLE YEAR FROM OVERDOSES.

AND AS I MENTION IT SPECIFICALLY NONE SHOULD HAVE DIED.

WHAT ARE THE CHALLENGES THAT WE FIND AND SOLICIT DRUG MARKET CHANGING AND HOW WE CAN PREVENT IT FROM HAPPENING.

THE ASPECT OF THAT OTHER COMPONENT OF SCIENCE OF WHAT IS THE TYPE OF KNOWLEDGE WE'RE BUILDING UP SO WE'RE BETTER PREPARED TO ACTUALLY TREAT PEOPLE SUFFERING FROM INCREASINGLY MORE COMPLEX ILLICIT DRUGS AND MIXED-USE OUT THERE.

WHAT IS IT WE CAN DO FROM SCIENCE THAT HELP PEOPLE WHO HAVE BECOME ADDICTED TO DRIVES RECOVER THEIR LIVES AND RECOVER THEIR BRAIN AND BE LACK LIKE US DO NOT HAVE TO CARRY OVER THE BURDEN OF EVERYTHING THAT DRUGS HAVE DONE.

AND THEN THE THIRD ELEMENT THAT I TARGETED IS HOW CAN WE PROTECT THE NEXT GENERATIONS OR THESE GENERATIONS THAT ARE GROWING UP FROM THE POTENTIAL VERY ADVERSE AFFECTS OF DRUGS.

HOW DO WE PREVENT AND HOW DO WE MAKE PEOPLE RECOGNIZE THAT WE NEED TO ACT RIGHT NOW AND TO PROVIDE INFRASTRUCTURE THAT CAN HELP CHILDREN AND YOUNG PEOPLE NOT FALL INTO THE HANDS OF DRUGS.

>> Renee: YOU HAVE DONE WORK ABOUT BRAIN IMAGING AND ADDICTION SCIENCE.

HOW HAS THAT CHANGED THE PUBLIC POLICY AROUND THAT BY SAYING THAT ADDICTION IS A DISEASE.

>> WE HAVE MORE AND MORE PEOPLE COME TO RECOGNIZE THAT ADDICTION IS A DISEASE.

BUT THE RECOGNITION UNFORTUNATELY IS NOT ALWAYS COME SIDE-BY-SIDE WITH EMBRACING THE CONCEPT.

SO WHEN YOU SPEAK ABOUT EMBRACING THE CONCEPT, IT MEANS THAT YOU TREAT IT AS SUCH.

THAT YOU DO INTERVENTION TO PREVENT THEM AND FUND IT AS SUCH.

LET ME GIVE YOU AN EXAMPLE.

FOR EXAMPLE RIGHT NOW, IN THE HEALTHCARE SYSTEM, WE BASICALLY HAVE INTERVENTIONS THAT CAN PREVENT SOMEONE FROM BECOMING DIABETIC.

AND THE HEALTHCARE SYSTEM PAYS FOR THAT.

AND WE HAVE SUPPORT SYSTEMS THAT DO THAT.

WE DON'T HAVE ANYTHING LIKE THAT FOR PREVENTING SOMEONE THAT IS AT HIGH-RISK FOR ADDICTION.

WE KNOW ADVERSE CHILDHOOD EXPERIENCES ARE PUTTING YOU INTO A LIKELIHOOD OF TRAJECTORY OF RISK.

BUT WE DON'T HAVE A SYSTEM THAT SUPPORTS THAT AND PAY FOR AN INTERVENTION TO HELP SOMEONE NOT GO THAT WAY.

AND THAT IS WHERE WE STILL NEED FOR POLICIES THAT HOPEFULLY WILL DO LIKE WE DO IN OTHER AREAS OF MEDICINE PROVIDE THAT SUPPORT, TRAIN THE PERSONNEL THAT CAN DELIVER IT.

WE DO THAT FOR DIABETES.

WE SHOULD BE DOING FOR MENTAL HEALTH.

FOR ADDICTIONS.

>> Renee: A BASIC QUESTION FOR OUR GENERAL AUDIENCE HOW DOES ADDICTION REWIRE THE BRAIN?

>> WELL, IT REWIRES IT IN DIFFERENT WAYS.

AND IT DOES IT NOT NECESSARILY ALWAYS THE SAME WAY FOR PEOPLE.

IT DEPENDS ON THE ONE HAND THE DRUG THAT YOU TAKE.

BUT WHEN YOU TAKE A DRUG, NO MATTER WHAT YOUR AGE, YOU ARE BASICALLY THE EFFECTS OF THAT DRUG WILL BE INFLUENCED BY THE OWN CHEMISTRY OF YOUR BRAIN WHY YOU CAN SEE PEOPLE THAT TAKE ALCOHOL AND BECOME VERY WILD AND EXCITED.

OTHER PEOPLE THAT TAKE ALCOHOL AND THEY BECOME SLEEPY AND DROWSY.

AND WHY CERTAIN PEOPLE MAY TAKE AN OPIOID AND HATE, HATE THE WAY IT MAKES THEM FEEL AND OTHER PEOPLE MAY TAKE AN OPIOID AND FIND EXTREMELY PLEASURABLE AND REWARDING.

WE ALL HAVE OUR UNIQUE KEPT INDUSTRY AND THAT WILL DETERMINE HOW OUR BRAIN ADAPTS.

THERE ARE COMMON ELEMENTS WE HAVE STARTED TO SEE EMERGING ACROSS ALL OF THE ADDICTIONS.

FIRST, THE AREAS OF THE BRAIN THAT ALLOWS YOU TO ACTUALLY ANALYZE A SITUATION TO CREATE ABSTRACT THINKING TO MAKE DECISIONS, TO MAKE A DECISION AND CARRY IT THROUGH TO SAY OKAY TOMORROW MORNING I'M GOING TO WAKE UP EARLY AND GO RUNNING.

AND THAT IS EASIER SAID THAN DONE.

BUT IT IS THESE AREAS OF THE BRAIN IN THE FRONTAL CORTEX THAT ALLOW YOU TO CARRY IT THROUGH.

AND DRUGS DAMAGE THAT.

THAT IS ONE OF THE FIRST SYSTEMS THAT GET IMPAIRED WHEN YOU BECOME ADDICTED TO DRUGS.

YOU LOSE THE CAPACITY TO SELF REGULATE.

AND THE EMOTIONAL SYSTEM THAT CREATES THE SENSE OF WELL-BEING.

YOU HEAR SOMETHING LIKE OH, I'M EXCITED TO BE IN THIS CONFERENCE, I BASICALLY MET AN ENORMOUS AMOUNT OF PEOPLE.

I FOR ME, IT IS A WONDERFUL THING TO SEE PEOPLE RESONATING ON THE IMPORTANCE OF KNOWLEDGE AND TAKING IT AND THE TREATMENT AND PREVENTION THAT COMMITMENT.

CREATES A SENSE OF WELL-BEING.

THAT SYSTEM OF WELL-BEING IS DAMAGED BY DRUGS.

>> Renee: I'VE SPOKEN TO SEVERAL WHO SAID WHETHER THEY ARE IN LAW ENFORCEMENT OR THE MEDICAL COMMUNITY WHO HAVE SAID THAT MANY ACTIVE USERS ARE NOT ALWAYS CHASING A HIGH, THEY ARE JUST TRYING TO MAINTAIN AND TO PREVENT WITHDRAWAL.

AND SO FOR THOSE OF US WHO HAVE NOT HAD TO DEAL WITH ADDICTION, WE MIGHT SAY JUST STOP.

JUST STOP USING.

IT'S NOT THAT SIMPLE, IS IT?

>> NO, NOT AT ALL.

AND ANYONE THAT HAS ACTUALLY INTERACTED WITH PEOPLE THAT HAVE AN ADDICTION AND LIVE WITH THEM, REALIZES THAT THERE'S NOTHING REALLY PLEASURABLE ABOUT BEING TAKING DRUGS WHEN YOU ARE ADDICTED.

AND THEY WILL TELL YOU, THEY ARE JUST TAKING IT NOT TO FEEL SO BAD, TO FEEL NORMAL.

AND SO YOU ARE BROUGHT INTO LIKE THIS DARKNESS AND THE DRUGS TEMPORARILY GET YOU OUT OF IT AND LET YOU BREATHE A LITTLE BIT.

BUT THEN YOU FEEL WORSE.

SO THAT'S THE TRICK.

THAT IS AGAIN, WHAT THE PROCESS BECOMES SO NEGATIVE AND WHY YOU CAN SEE PEOPLE THAT ARE RISKING THEIR LIVES AND SORT OF ISOLATING THEMSELVES AND LOSING THEIR CHILDREN, BECAUSE THE STATE OF ADDICTION IS SO, SO NEGATIVE THEY WILL DO ANYTHING TO TRY TO ESCAPE THAT VERY NEGATIVE EMOTION THAT IS PRODUCED.

IT'S HARD TO UNDERSTAND FOR PEOPLE THAT HAVE NOT BECOME ADDICTED.

WHY IS IT THAT SOMEONE WILL RISK GOING GABBING TO PRISON OR -- GOING BACK TO PRISON AND LOSE THEIR JOB AND LOSE ALL THEIR MONEY JUST TO GET ONE HIT.

BECAUSE SORT OF USE RATIONAL THINKING IT DOES NOT MAKE SENSE.

BUT IF YOU THINK ABOUT IT USING METAPHORS OF SOMEONE BASICALLY STOPS US FROM BREATHING, THEY COVER OUR MOUTH AND NOSE.

WE WILL DO EVERYTHING, EVERYTHING TO GET HIS HANDS OUT OF EVERYTHING WE CAN DO IN ORDER TO BE ABLE TO BREATHE.

THAT IS THE DRIVING INTENSITY OF THE MOTIVATION OF SOMEONE ESCAPING THAT STATE.

THAT NEED OF OXYGEN AND THAT WAS SOMETHING THAT SOMEONE THAT WAS ADDICTED TO DRUGS TOLD ME.

JUST LIKE THAT OXYGEN THAT YOU NEED BREATHING YOU NEED TO BREATHE.

TO DESCRIBE IT LIKE THAT AND I THINK THAT GIVES US AN INSIGHT EMOTIONALLY AT LEAST ABOUT WHAT THAT EXPERIENCE MAY BE.

>> THAT EXPERIENCE MAY SOUND FAMILIAR TO PROFESSIONAL MOTORCYCLE ATHLETE, DAN KRUGER, WHO AT AGE 20 YEARS OLD, WAS DIAGNOSED WITH PSORIATIC ARTHRITIS•.

THAT CAUSED CONSTANT PAIN AND CHRONIC INFLAMMATION.

FOR YEARS HE TRIED TO IGNORE IT, BUT IT ONLY GREW WORSE.

AS HE KEPT ON RACING, HE BECAME MORE DEPENDENT ON PAIN MEDS• AND THAT SPIRALED INTO ADDICTION.

HERE’S HIS STORY OF HOPE.

>> I'M A PROFESSIONAL ATHLETE.

SO THERE WAS A COMBINATION OF THINGS THAT LED ME DOWN THAT PATH.

INJURY, OF COURSE, I'VE BROKEN MANY, MANY BONES IN MY BODY BUT I ALSO WAS DIAGNOSED WITH SORRY ATTIC ARTERY WHEN I WAS 20 AND DIAGNOSED WITH OSTEOPOROSIS, THEY HAVE ONE THING ONLY TO MANAGE THIS AND THAT IS OPIOIDS.

BEING MORE HIGH PROFILE IN MY FIELD, I HAD EASY ACCESS TO OPIOIDS.

ABOUT THREE YEARS AGO, I WAS SEARCHING ON-LINE BECAUSE I REALLY WANTED TO STOP USING PAIN MEDICINE.

AND I CAME ACROSS THE MORE PROGRAM.

IT WAS AN ALTERNATIVE TREATMENT THAT USED MEDITATION, MINDFULNESS, SAVORING, REAPPRAISAL AND TRAN SEND DENSE TO REDUCE THE USE OF OPIOIDS AND MANAGE CHRONIC PAIN.

I DID A LOT OF RESEARCH.

REACHED OUT TO THE DOCTOR AND NINE MONTHS LATER I WAS OFF OF OPIOIDS AND THAT WAS THREE YEARS AGO.

ATHLETES THE A HIGH LEVEL HAVE ACCESS TO EVERYTHING.

AND THAT'S NOT ALWAYS A GOOD THING.

YOU ALSO HAVE A SHORT CAREER IN COMPARISON TO OTHER TYPES OF PROFESSIONS.

SO YOU ALSO WANT TO BE BACK OUT THERE AS SOON AS POSSIBLE.

I DO FIND A LOT OF ATHLETES ARE SIMILAR TO MYSELF WE ARE QUIET AT DICKS MEANING WE STILL PERFORM ON A HIGHER LEVEL SOMETIMES PEOPLE THINK YOU ARE LIVING THE PERFECT LIFE.

INTERNALLY YOU ARE ISOLATED, LONELY, SCARED YOU ARE NOT SURE WHAT THE NEXT STEP IS.

IT'S CHALLENGING TO COME TO TERMS WITH IT.

IT'S IMPORTANT TO SHARE THE STORY BECAUSE I DON'T THINK ENOUGH HIGHER PROFILE PEOPLE ADMIT, GO PUBLIC, TALK ABOUT CHALLENGES IN THE DAYS OF SOCIAL MEDIA WHERE EVERYTHING IS JUST SNAPSHOTS OF THE PERFECT SITUATION, OUR BUSINESS AND A LOT OF ATHLETES' BUSINESS IS BASED ON ENDORSEMENTS.

SO WE WANT TO HAVE A SQUEAKY CLEAN KIND OF IMAGE SO WE'RE MARKETABLE.

I FEEL LIKE WHEN I AM DONE RACING AND I RETIRE, MY PLATFORM IS GOING TO SLOWLY SLIP AWAY.

AND SO I THOUGHT IT'S ALMOST MY RESPONSIBILITY TO GET THE WORD OUT AND MESSAGE WHILE I STILL HAVE A PLATFORM A PUBLIC PLATFORM.

AND SO I'M HOPING THAT BY PEOPLE LIKE MYSELF SHARING THIS MESSAGE MORE PEOPLE WILL COME OUT AND SHARE THEIR POSITIVE STORY THE STRUGGLES AND ALSO HOW THEY GOT THROUGH IT.

>> DAN IS ONE OF THE MANY HOPE AMBASSADORS WHO SHARE THEIR RECOVERY JOURNEYS AT THIS CONFERENCE AND ELSEWHERE• AND ARE HONORED WITH THIS WALL THAT CELEBRATES THEIR RESILIENCE AND TESTIMONIES.

ALONG WITH THE HOPE AMBASSADORS, THERE WERE TOOLKITS AND INFORMATION BOOTHS AVAILABLE AT THE RX SUMMIT TO HELP FOLKS INFORMATION BOOTHS AVAILABLE AT THE RX SUMMIT TO HELP FOLKS LEARN MORE ABOUT OVERDOSE REVERSAL DRUGS AND HOW TO DISPOSE OF THEM.

KET’S MACKENZIE SPINK TALKED WITH THE MAKER OF AN AT-HOME DISPOSAL POUCH TO PROTECT AGAINST ACCIDENTAL POISONING OR OVERDOSE.

>> THERE'S LOTS OF INTERESTING TECHNOLOGY ON DISPLAY AT THE RX AND ILLICIT DRUG SUMMIT INCLUDING PRODUCTS THAT USE CHEMICAL DIGESTION AS A METHOD OF SAFE DRUG DISPOSAL.

RX DESTROYER IS IN THIS FIELD AND THEIR FORMULA IS USED EVERYWHERE FROM HOSPITALS TO CORNER'S OFFICES TO THE BATH R BATHROOM MEDICINE CABINET.

>> THE JOURNEY STARTED IN 2010 OUR C.E.O.

AND FOUNDER WAS ON A REGIONAL VERSION OF A SHARK TANK AND THERE WAS A NURSE THAT LOST A YOUNG MAN TO AN OVERDOSE KIND OF DUMPSTER DIVING CHASING UNDESTROYED MEDICATIONS.

AND THE YOUNG MAN LOST HIS LIFE.

AND SHE THOUGHT THERE HAD TO BE A BETTER WAY.

>> PROPER DRUG DISPOSAL IN THE HOME IS MORE IMPORTANT THAN EVER.

ACCORDING TO THE UNITED STATES NATIONAL SURVEY ON DRUG USE AND HEALTH, AN ESTIMATED 2.2 ADD LESS DENTSES SUFFERED FROM A DRUG USE DISORDER A DRUG DISPOSAL POUCH IS A WAY TO DISPOSE OF UNUSED MEDICATIONS.

>> THIS IS OUR POUCH SIMPLE TO USE.

BASED ON A 200 MILLIGRAM TABLET THIS WILL DO 80 PILLS.

IF YOU BOUGHT THE PRODUCT OR GIVEN TO YOU AND YOU BROUGHT IT INTO THE HOME YOU UNSCREW THE CAP.

YOU TAKE YOUR MEDICATION AND PUT IT DIRECTLY INSIDE AND JUST REPLACE THE CAP.

THE PROCESS IS GOING TO START IMMEDIATELY.

IT'S NEUTRALIZING WHATEVER MEDICATIONS YOU PUT INSIDE.

IT BREAKS IT DOWN AND THE ACTIVATED CARBON ADSORBS IT, ADSORBION IS A ONE-WAY TRANSFER IT'S RENDERING THAT DRUG NON-RETRIEVABLE.

>> THEY PARTNER WITH GOVERNMENT AGENCIES PROVIDING DISPOSAL CONTAINERS UP TO 55 GALLONS IN SIZE WHETHER IT IS A POUCH OR BARREL, THE LIQUID FORMULA CAN HANDLE DANGEROUS SUBSTANCES INCLUDING FENTANYL.

AND IT'S NOT A ONE AND DONE DISPOSAL METHOD.

YOU CAN CONTINUE TO FILL THE POUCH UNTIL IT'S FULL AND THROW IT AWAY.

>> WHEN THOSE MEDICATIONS ARE LEFTOVER OR LEFT BEHIND IT CAN POSE A THREAT FROM OUR COMMUNITY FROM GETTING INTO OUR WATER, SOIL.

IT IS A BIGGER PICTURE THAN JUST AT HOME OR JUST AT THE HOSPITAL.

ONE OF THE GREATEST BENEFITS YOU CAN CONTINUE TO USE IT FOR UP TO A YEAR OR UNTIL FULL.

SO IF WE HAVE MEDICINE AND PUT FIVE PILLS IN IT WE CAN COME BACK AT CHRISTMASTIME AND ADD MEDICATION.

THE BENEFIT YOU HAVE A TOOL YOU CAN USE FOR UP TO A YEAR AND ELIMINATE THAT MEDICATION FROM THE HOME, PREVENTING IT FROM A PERSON TAKING IT OR GOING DOWN THE TOILET AND ENDING UP BACK IN OUR BODIES THROUGH CONSUMPTION OR IN A LANDFILL AND RUINING OUR SOIL.

>> TO RX DESTROYER TO KITS THE RX SUMMIT IS CONNECTING THOSE FIGHTING OUR COUNTRY'S DRUG CRISIS WITH TOOLS THEY CAN USE TO MAKE A DIFFERENCE.

>> THANK YOU, MACKENZIE.

THE BATTLE AGAINST ADDICTION AND DRUG-RELATED FATALITIES RELIES ON ALL THE METHODS YOU’VE HEARD ABOUT SO FAR• RESEARCH, EDUCATION, PREVENTION, HARM REDUCTION• AND PUBLIC POLICY.

HOW ARE FEDERAL DECISION MAKERS RESPONDING TO THE NATION’S DRUG CRISIS THAT CLAIMS ONE LIFE IN THIS NATION NEARLY EVERY 6 MINUTES.

OUR LAURA ROGERS BRINGS US THIS REPORT OF TWO, HIGH-LEVEL CABINET OFFICIALS IN THE TRUMP ADMINISTRATION WHO SHARED THEIR INSIGHTS AT THE RX SUMMIT.

>> CONGRESSMAN HAL ROGERS OF KENTUCKY'S FIFTH DISTRICT WELCOMING U.S. ATTORNEY GENERAL PAM BONDI TO THE SUM.

>> ALL THE DRUGS INFILTRATED OUR COUNTRY.

>> AS FLORIDA ATTORNEY GENERAL SHE PLAYED A KEY ROLE IN SHUTTING DOWN THE PILL MILLS TARGETING EASTERN KENTUCKIANS.

>> I WORKED CLOSELY WITH JACK CONWAY, WHO WAS THE ATTORNEY GENERAL AT THE TIME.

I THINK IT WAS CALLED THE OXYEXPRESS AND PEOPLE WOULD DRIVE DOWN FROM YOUR STATE, FROM WEST VIRGINIA EVEN, FROM EVERYWHERE.

>> TENNESSEE.

>> TENNESSEE.

THEY WOULD DRIVE TO FLORIDA BECAUSE WE HAD ABSOLUTELY NO REGULATIONS AND THEY WERE I CALLED THEM DRUG DEALERS WEARING WHITE COATS.

>> TODAY FENTANYL IS GETTING THE MOST ATTENTION WHICH THE DRUG IS COMING ACROSS THE BORDER.

>> FENTANYL IT'S SIZE LEAN, IT'S CARFENTANIL, THE CRAZY DRUGS THAT ARE MADE IN CHINA ALL MADE IN CHINA AND SHIPPED TO MEXICO AND COME IN RIGHT ACROSS THE BORDER INTO OUR COUNTRY.

WE ARE DOING EVERYTHING WE CAN TO GET THIS TRASH OFF OUR STREETS.

>> BLESS YOU.

>> SHE ADDRESSED THE ADMINISTRATION'S CRACKDOWN ON IMMIGRATION DEPORTING PEOPLE WHO ARE MEMBERS OF TRANS NATIONAL GANGS.

>> THESE ARE NOT PEOPLE COMING TO AMERICA FOR A BETTER LIFE.

TDA, MS13 THEY ARE TERRORIST ORGANIZATIONS THEY ARE HIGHLY ORGANIZED.

THEY HAVE INFILTRATED OUR COUNTRY.

IT'S ORGANIZED CRIME AT ITS WORST.

>> ROGERS APPLAUDING THE TRUMP ADMINISTRATION'S BORDER POLICIES IN HELPING TO CURB THE FLOW OF DRUGS.

>> FIRST, IT'S ALL DONALD TRUMP HIS DIRECTIVE IN EVERYTHING WE DO IS WORKING WITH HIM TO KEEP AMERICA SAFE.

IF YOU'VE EVER HEARD THAT MAN OPEN HIS MOUTH HE IS ANTI-DRUGS.

>> BONDI SAYS THIS YEAR THEY'VE SEIZED 21.5 MILLION FENTANYL PILLS AND 3100 POUNDS OF FENTANYL.

>> IT'S FLOWING INTO OUR COUNTRY AND PRESIDENT TRUMP SAID NO MORE IT'S GOING TO STOP.

NO MORE HUMAN TRAFFICKING NO MORE DRUGS AND WE'RE DOING EVERYTHING WE CAN TO STOP IT.

SO MANY OF THESE DRUGS ARE ALREADY IN OUR COUNTRY AND THAT'S WHY ALL OF YOU IN THIS AUDIENCE AND YOU CHAIRMAN, HAVE SUCH A VESTED INTEREST IN THIS AND HELPING THESE VICTIMS AND GETTING THESE DRUGS OFF OUR STREETS.

>> HEALTH AND HUMAN SERVICES SECRETARY ROBERT F. KENNEDY, JR.

SPEAKING AT THE RX SUMMIT SHARING HIS BATTLE WITH ADDICTION THAT BEGAN IN HIS TEENS.

>> I KNEW THAT I NEEDED A SPIRITUAL AWAKENING.

BECAUSE I DID NOT WANT TO BE THE PERSON THAT I WAS.

I WANTED TO BE JUST A NORMAL PERSON.

THAT DIDN'T WAKE UP IN THE MORNING THINKING OF DRUGS AND THINKING ABOUT THEM ALL DAY.

>> KENNEDY WHO LOST HIS BROTHER AND LOVED ONES TO OVERDOSES ENTERED A 12-STEP PROGRAM AND HAS BEEN IN RECOVERY FOR TWO YEARS.

>> IF YOU BELIEVE IN GOD YOU ARE MORE LIKELY TO GET SOBER.

AND YOUR SOBRIETY WILL BE MORE ENDURE SNOOK HIS ATTRIBUTES HIS FAITH TO HIS SOBRIETY JOURNEY BUT ADMITS IT HASN'T BEEN EASY.

>> WHEN THE CASH AND PRIZES FLOW IN THANKS GOD I GOT IT FROM HERE.

AND TAKE THE WHEEL OF THE CAR AND DRIVE OFF THE CLIFF AGAIN.

AND THE CHALLENGE FOR ME, AND FOR ALL OF US WHO ARE TRYING TO MAINTAIN LONG-TERM SOBRIETY IS HOW DO WE STAY IN A POSTER OF SURRENDER EVEN WHEN EVERYTHING IS GOING WELL IN OUR LIVES.

>> MORE THAN FOUR DECADES LATER HE STILL ATTENDS 12-STEP MEETINGS TO STAY ON TRACK.

>> WHEN I CAME IN 42 YEARS I SAID HOW LONG DO YOU HAVE TO KEEP COMING TO THESE MEETINGS?

HE SAID JUST KEEP COMING UNTIL YOU LIKE IT.

I'VE BEEN COMING FOR 42 YEARS AND I STILL DON'T LIKE IT.

BUT I GO EVERYDAY BECAUSE WHEN I GO THE REST OF MY LIFE WORKS.

THE LIGHTS TURN GREEN FOR ME.

A PARKING PLACE OPENS UP.

PEOPLE ANSWER THE PHONE.

PROJECTS THAT I WORK ON GET OVER THE GOAL LINE AND IT'S MAGIC.

>> HE ADDRESSED THE RESOURCES AVAILABLE TO COMBAT THE DRUG EPIDEMIC FROM HARM REDUCTION TO PREVENTION PROGRAMS.

>> WE HAVE TO DO ALL OF THE NUTS AND BOLTS THINGS THAT YOU ARE ALL INVOLVED WITH PRACTICAL PRAGMATIC THINGS WE NEED.

SUBJECT OX ZONE, METHADONE, WE NEED NARCAN, WE NEED -- [APPLAUSE] WE NEED GOOD FENTANYL DETECTORS.

THAT CAN DETECT IT ON PILLS SO THAT KIDS ARE LESS LIKELY TO OVERDOSE.

WE NEED PREVENTION.

WE NEED EDUCATION.

[APPLAUSE] AND WE NEED TREATMENT AND WE HAVE $4 BILLION AT MY AGENCY TO FINANCE THOSE SOLUTIONS.

>> ALONG WITH THAT SUPPORT KENNEDY SAYS HE WOULD LIKE PEOPLE TO THINK MORE BROADLY.

>> HOW DO WE RESTORE OUR FAMILIES?

HOW DO WE RESTORE THAT COMMITMENT TO COMMUNITY?

>> HE ALSO SAYS SMARTPHONES ARE HELPING TO FEED THE ADDICTION CRISIS LEADING TO MORE ISOLATION.

>> THESE LITTLE DEVICE THAT WE HAVE ARE TAKING US AWAY FROM EACH OTHER.

>> WHICH IS A CONCERN AMONG THE YOUNGER GENERATION.

>> I WAS IN VIRGINIA THE OTHER DAY, AND I WENT TO A SCHOOL WHERE THEY HAVE CELLPHONE USE BANNED THE PUBLIC SCHOOL.

THE GRADES HAVE SKYROCKETED.

THE TEST SCORES HAVE SKYROCKETED.

THE VIOLENCE HAS DROPPED.

I WALKED THROUGH THE LUNCH ROOM AND SAW KIDS TALKING TO EACH OTHER.

NOBODY WAS LOOKING AT A CELLPHONE.

BANNING CELLPHONES IN SCHOOL IS ONE OF THE THINGS THAT WE NEED TO DO TO REMEDY ADDICTION.

NOT JUST ALL THE STANDARD NUTS AND BOLTS THINGS WHICH WE NEED TO DO, WE NEED TO DO EVERYTHING WE CAN TO REESTABLISH HOPE IN OUR KIDS.

>> REPORTING FROM THE RX AND ILLICIT DRUG SUMMIT IN NASHVILLE I'M LAURA ROGERS FOR "KENTUCKY TONIGHT".

>> THANK YOU, LAURA.

TWO OTHER MEMBERS OF KENTUCKY’S FEDERAL DELEGATION IN WASHINGTON WERE AT THE RX SUMMIT AND JOINED CONGRESSMAN HAL ROGERS AND OTHERS IN A CONVERSATION ABOUT THE FEDERAL GOVERNMENT’S RESPONSE — PAST AND PRESENT — IN TACKLING DRUG ADDICTION.

OUR LAURA ROGERS SAT DOWN WITH 1ST DISTRICT CONGRESSMAN JAMES COMER IN THE MOMENTS AFTER.

RENEE WRAP 9 CONGRESSMAN JAMES COMER REPRESENTING KENTUCKY'S FIRST CONGRESSIONAL DISTRICT IT'S GOOD TO SEE YOU.

>> THANKS FOR HAVING ME.

>> AND THIS IS YOUR FIRST TIME HERE.

TELL US ABOUT YOUR PRESENCE HERE AND WHY IT WAS IMPORTANT FOR YOU TO BE HERE, BE PRESENT AND SPEAK ON THE PANEL AS WELL?

>> WELL, OBVIOUSLY THIS IS A HUGE PROBLEM IN MY DISTRICT.

IT IS A HUGE PROBLEM ACROSS AMERICA.

AND I DIDN'T REALLY KNOW A LOT ABOUT RECOVERY AND LAW ENFORCEMENT EFFORTS TO COMBAT ILLICIT DRUGS UNTIL I CAME TO CONGRESS.

AND A FEW YEARS INTO BEING IN CONGRESS, I STARTED TRAVELING AROUND TO THE RECOVERY CENTERS NOT JUST MOO MY DISTRICT BUT ACROSS KENTUCKY AND IT OPENS YOUR EYES.

WHEN I BECAME CHAIRMAN OF THE OVERSIGHT COMMITTEE MY COMMITTEE HAS JURISDICTION OVER THE OFFICE OF NATIONAL DRUG CONTROL POLICY I STARTED TRYING TO LEARN MORE ABOUT THAT.

I'VE GOTTEN CLOSER WITH CONGRESSMAN ROGERS AND UNDERSTANDING OPERATION UNITE.

IT'S OPENED MY EYES AND I TRIED TO BECOME AN ADVOCATE FOR FUNDING FOR RECOVERY CENTERS AND FUNDING FOR LAW ENFORCEMENT TO BE ABLE TO HAVE THE TOOLS THEY NEED TO BE ABLE TO BE SUCCESSFUL IN COMBATING THE ILLICIT DRUG TRADE.

I'VE EVOLVED A LOT ON THIS ISSUE.

AND I WAS PROUD TO BE INVITED TO THIS CONFERENCE TO SPEAK.

AND THAT'S HOW I ENDED UP HERE.

>> AND YOU ARE CHAIR OF THE HOUSE OVERSIGHT COMMITTEE.

WHAT ROLE DO YOU SEE IN YOURSELF PLAYING WHEN IT COMES TO THIS ISSUE AND THAT POSITION AND ALSO WHAT APPROACHES WOULD YOU LIKE TO SEE WHEN WE TALK ABOUT FENTANYL CROSSING THE BORDER?

>> WELL, FIRST OF ALL, WITH THE FENTANYL ISSUE, IT'S THE BIGGEST ISSUE IN AMERICA.

AND I WASN'T SATISFIED WITH THE LAST PRESIDENTIAL ADMINISTRATION'S EFFORTS TO SECURE THE BORDER BECAUSE THAT IS WHERE A LOT OF THE FENTANYL NOT ALL OF IT, BUT A LOT WAS COMING ACROSS THE BORDER ACCORDING TO BORDER PATROL.

NOW I THINK WE HAVE A MUCH MORE SECURE BORDER ON THE SOUTHERN BORDER IN THE LAST FEW MONTHS.

HOPEFULLY THAT WILL SLOW DOWN.

BUT NOW, ONCE YOU SECURE THE SOUTHERN BORDER IT'S COMING ACROSS THE NORTHERN BORDER AND OUR NORTHERN BORDER IS WIDE OPEN.

THE CRIMINALS ARE GOING TO GET THE DRUGS IN HERE WE HAVE TO DO EVERYTHING IN OUR ABILITY TO CUT IT DOWN.

NOW, WITH RESPECT TO MY ROLE OF OVERSIGHT, OUR COMMITTEE IS FOCUSED ON TRYING TO REDUCE WASTEFUL SPENDING AND I WANT TO MAKE SURE THAT MY COLLEAGUES IN CONGRESS UNDERSTAND THAT IT TAKES AN INVESTMENT TO BE ABLE TO SECURE THE BORDER.

IT TAKES AN INVESTMENT IN LAW ENFORCEMENT TO BE ABLE TO APPREHEND PEOPLE THAT ARE TRADING IN ILLICIT DRUGS AND IT TAKES AN INVESTMENT TO HELP PEOPLE RECOVER FROM DRUG OVERDOSE AND DRUG ADDICTION.

I'M TRYING TO DO MY PART TO MAKE SURE THAT WHEN WE LOOK AT THINGS TO CUT THAT WE DON'T CUT ANYTHING PERTAINING TO DRUG RECOVERY OR DRUG ERADICATION EFFORTS.

THAT IS THE ROLE THAT I WILL BE PLAYING.

BECAUSE IN ALL HONESTY WE SPEND $2 TRILLION MORE THAN WE TAKE IN THE FEDERAL GOVERNMENT WE HAVE TO FIND BUDGETARY CUTS BUT I WANT TO MAKE SURE THAT WE'RE NOT CUT CUTTING THING THAT ARE HELPING PEOPLE PEOPLE TO RECOVER FROM ADDICTION AND LAW ENFORCEMENT FROM APPREHENDING DRUGS.

>> ARE THERE SOURCES THAT ARE CONTRIBUTING TO ADDICTION THAT NEED TO BE UNCOVERED AND HELD ACCOUNTABLE?

>> I THINK THERE ARE.

I THINK THAT WE'VE HAD OVERPRESCRIBING OF DRUGS.

A LOT OF ACCORDING TO MY CIRCUIT JUDGES AND DISTRICT JUDGES I HAD A JUDGE TELL ME THEY HAVE NICE OLD LADIES THAT COME TO COURT THAT HAVE NEVER MISSED A SUNDAY AT CHURCH THAT THEY DON'T REALIZE IT BUT THEY ARE ADDICTED BECAUSE THEY HAVE BEEN OVERPRESCRIBED PAIN PILLS.

AND I THINK THAT IS A PROBLEM.

I'VE BEEN A BIG ADVOCATE FOR ALTERNATIVE SOURCES OF PAIN RELIEF.

THE OLD BUSINESS MODEL FOR TREATING PAIN AND PEOPLE ARE ALWAYS GOING TO BE IN PAIN.

PEOPLE HAVE BACK PAIN AND PEOPLE HAVE ARTHRITIS PAIN AND PEOPLE HAVE PAIN FROM SURGERIES AND THINGS LIKE THAT.

THE OLD OKAY PRESCRIBE PAIN PILLS AND HELP THEM TREAT THE PAIN.

WHAT HAPPENED IS PEOPLE GOT ADDICTED TO THAT.

AND IT HAS NOTHING TO DO WITH FENTANYL AND HAS NOTHING TO DO WITH THE MEXICAN DRUG CARTEL THEY WERE OVERPRESCRIBED PAIN PILL MEDICATION.

AND I THINK THERE ARE ALTERNATIVES FOR PAIN RELIEF.

WHETHER IT BE CRAPPER -- CRY PRACTICE PARTICULAR CARE THERE ARE NON-PHARMACEUTICAL TYPES OF PAIN RELIEF THAT WE NEED TO FOCUS ON.

>> KENTUCKY’S SECOND DISTRICT CONGRESSMAN BRETT GUTHRIE IS CHAIRMAN OF THE HOUSE ENERGY AND COMMERCE COMMITTEE•.

THE OLDEST STANDING LEGISLATIVE COMMITTEE IN THE HOUSE WITH BROAD JURISDICTION OVER THE NATION’S ENERGY, HEALTH CARE, TELECOMMUNICATIONS, AND CONSUMER PRODUCT SAFETY POLICIES.

HIS COMMITTEE OVERSEES MEDICAID HAS BEEN CHARGED TO FIND AT LEAST $880 BILLION IN SAVINGS OVER 10 YEARS AS PART OF THE PACKAGE CENTRAL TO PRESIDENT TRUMP’S DOMESTIC AGENDA.

THE TALK OF MEDICAID CUTS HAS SOME IN THE DRUG TREATMENT COMMUNITY CONCERNED.

I TALKED WITH HIM ABOUT THAT AND MORE.

YOU HAVE OFTEN SAID THAT LAW ENFORCEMENT ALONG ADDICTION EFFORTSES WORK IN TANDEM.

>> IT TAKES BOTH AND THAT IS THE MOVE I'VE MADE SINCE I'VE BEEN IN PUBLIC SERVICE IN CONGRESS.

HAVE GREAT FRIENDS IN LAW ENFORCEMENT WHO JUST TAKE IT TO HEART THAT THEY WANT TO MAKE SURE THAT OUR KIDS ARE DRUG FREE AS MUCH AS THEY POSSIBLY CAN.

AND SO THERE ARE PEOPLE THAT ABSOLUTELY DESERVE TO BE PUT IN JAIL.

BUT ALSO WE NEED TO LOOK AT THERE ARE PEOPLE WHO MAY HAVE CRIMINAL BEHAVIOR BUT THE CRIMINAL BEHAVIOR IS SO SUPPORT THEIR SUBSTANCE USE DISORDER USE AND IF YOU CAN FIX THOSE OR HELP ADDRESS THOSE, ADDRESS IS A BETTER TERM, THEN THEIR CRIMINAL BEHAVIOR GOES AWAY.

WE NEED TO MAKE SURE, AS A MATTER OF FACT ONE OF MY FRIENDS HAD ME READ A BOOK THAT WAS OUT OF NORTHERN KENTUCKY ABOUT DRUG ADDICTION.

AND MOST OF THE PEOPLE IN THE CARTELS AND SO FORTH THEY DON'T USE BECAUSE THEY KNOW THEY ARE NOT EFFECTIVE AT SELLING DRUGS IF THEY ARE USERS.

SO THOSE ARE THE ONES THAT BELONG IN JAIL AND THE PEOPLE WHO JUST HAVE THIS USE ARE THE ONES WE NEED TO ADDRESS THOSE ISSUES.

>> Renee: YOU RECALL BACK IN THE GENERAL ASSEMBLY DAYS WHILE YOU WERE THERE BEFORE YOU MOVED TO CONGRESS THERE WERE EFFORTS TO DISTINGUISH BETWEEN THE HIGH DRUG TRAFFICKER VERSUS THE USER WHO HAS AN ADDICTION ISSUE AND MAYBE WAS PEDDLING.

SO IS THAT STILL A CLEAR DISTINCTION NOW?

>> ABSOLUTELY.

THERE ARE THINGS THAT OUR COMMITTEE CAN DO.

WE DO DRUG SCHEDULING.

ILLICIT FENTANYL THERE ARE DIFFERENTDER RIFF ACTIVES OF FENTANYL AND SOME IS SCHEDULED TO BE ILLEGAL AND SOME ISN'T.

WE'RE TRYING TO GET THAT SCHEDULED.

YOU HAVE ASEEN NEW DRUGS ON THE SCENE, A VETERINARIAN MEDICINE MIXED WITH FENTANYL GIVES A BIGGER HIGH.

DO WE SCHEDULE THAT WHEN THE VETERINARIANS ARE GOING WE USE THESE ON HORSES ALL THE TIME.

HOW DO YOU GET THAT SCHEDULED AND IF YOU USE FENTANYL AND YOU DON'T KNOW IF YOU ARE USING ANYTHING THAT CAN BE LACED WITH FENTANYL XYLAZINE PREVENTS NARCAN FROM WORKING.

WE'VE HAD AN IMPROVEMENT IN DEATHS BECAUSE OF NARCAN THAT IS GOING AWAY WITH THE XYLAZINE.

AND MY COMMITTEE ADDRESSES THAT.

ONE THING WE DID.

NARCAN AND NALOXONE YOU USED TO HAVE A PRESCRIPTION IF YOU FOUND SOMEBODY PASSED OUT YOU HAD TO CALL A DOCTOR AND GO TO A PHARMACY AND GET BY THEN IT WAS TOO LATE.

NOW IT'S READILY AVAILABLE AND IT'S SAVING LIVES.

AND THE OTHER SIDE WE'RE GOING TO HAVE A HEARING NEXT TUESDAY PASS A BILL TO THE HOUSE FLOOR CALLED THE SUPPORT ACT THAT I DID FIVE YEARS AGO WE ARE IMPROVING THE ACT AND IT DOES FOCUS ON RECOVERY, 28-DAY STEP PROGRAM DIFFERENT PROGRAMS BUT ALSO WRAP AROUND SERVICES WHEN PEOPLE LEAVE RECOVERY WHEN THEY LEAVE THAT BUBBLE WHERE THEY ARE WITH PEOPLE AND THEY ARE BEING CONSTANTLY MONITORED TO BACK OUT IN THE WORLD IF PEOPLE GO BACK INTO THE SAME SITUATION THEY WERE IN, A LOT OF TIMES IT BRINGS BACK RECIDIVISM.

SO HOW DO WE GET THEM INTO SOBER LIVING AND JOB TRAINING.

EMPLOYERS ARE WILLING TO TAKE A RISK ON PEOPLE.

THERE WAS THAT ONE CHECK OFF FELON ON MOST APPLICATIONS AND NOW YOU CAN CHECK OFF THE FELON IF THEY SEE YOU HAVE BEEN IN A DRUG PROGRAM OR TESTED THEY WILL GIVE YOU A SECOND CHANCE.

THE GOOD THING ABOUT RECOVERY YOU ARE NEEDED TO KNOW YOU ARE NEEDED IS WHAT I UNDERSTAND PEOPLE SAY AND PEOPLE ARE NEEDED NOW AND THEY HAVE ALWAYS BEEN NEEDED BUT THEY ARE NEEDED BY EMPLOYERS WHO WILL GIVE THEM A SECOND CHANCE.

>> Renee: THERE ARE LOT OF QUESTION ABOUT FEDERAL SPENDING AND WHETHER OR NOT MEDICAID CAN BE ROLLED BACK AND THERE'S CONCERN IN ADDICTION RECOVERY COMMUNITY THAT ANY KIND OF ROLLBACKS TO MEDICAID AND THE EXPANSION OF MEDICAID WOULD DIRECTLY IMPACT THOSE RECOVERY EFFORTS AND GAINS MADE TO HELP THOSE WHO ARE TO GET THE TREATMENT THAT THEY NEED.

SET THE RECORD STRAIGHT ABOUT WHERE YOU STAND.

>> THAT IS A FAIR QUESTION.

WE'RE GOING TO SPEND MORE MONEY OVER MEDICAID EVERY YEAR OVER THE NEXT 10 YEARS.

THE BUDGET IS A 10-YEAR BUDGET THE ONE WE'RE WORKING ON.

WE ARE GOING TO SPEND MORE MONEY EACH YEAR.

WHAT MEDICAID IS PROJECTED TO GROW THE TOTAL $800 BILLION OVER 10 YEARS, IT IS ALMOST 700 BILLION PROGRAM NOW.

800 BILLION MOREOVER ABOVE INFLATION.

AND SO WHAT WE'RE TRYING TO DO HOW DO WE MANAGE THE GROWTH OF MEDICAID.

I UNDERSTAND THAT PEOPLE ARE CONCERNED.

BUT STATES ARE USING RECOVERY MONEY FOR RECOVERY NOW.

AND WHAT WE'RE TALKING ABOUT DOING IS CAPPING THE GROWTH.

SO IF THEY ARE DOING IT NOW PEOPLE SHOULDN'T HAVE TO TURN BACK ON PROGRAMS AND WE DON'T EXPECT THEM TO.

BUT WE HAVE 1.8 TRILLION BUDGET DEFICIT IT'S ALL IMPORTANT AND WE HAVE TO HAVE SAVINGS IN HEALTHCARE WE ARE NOT -- IT'S GOING TO COLLAPSE EVENTUALLY.

SO WE WANT TO SOLVE THE PROBLEM THEN IT IS A DIFFERENT CONVERSATION.

WE BELIEVE STATES WILL HAVE MONEY TO DO WHAT THEY ARE DOING NOW.

>> Renee: JUST TO CITE A REPORT THAT CAME OUT RECENTLY RELEASED BY DEMOCRATS TO THE CONGRESSIONAL JOINT ECONOMIC COMMITTEE THEY WARNED THAT MEDICAL TREATMENT FOR MORE THAN A MILLION PEOPLE IN THE U.S. NOW RECEIVING TREATMENT FOR OPIOID ADDICTION INCLUDING FENTANYL COULD BE AFFECTED AND COULD BE AT RISK.

YOU SAY THERE'S NO WORRY?

>> THERE'S NO WORRY.

IF YOU SAY WE'RE GOING TO ADDRESS A BUDGET DISEF SIT YOU CAN PICK ANYTHING YOU WANT AND IT WILL CAUSE THIS PROBLEM.

WE UNDERSTAND.

WE'RE GOING TO ASK STATES TO MANAGE THEIR MONEY AND STATES WILL MAKE DECISIONS SO THE IMPLICATION IS IF THE STATES ARE LIMITED ON HOW MUCH THEIR MEDICAID BUDGET CAN GROW DEMOCRATS WILL BE SAYING THE STATE GOVERNMENT ALSO KICK PEOPLE OUT OF ASSISTED TREATMENT PROGRAMS.

I DO NOT BELIEVE THAT OUR GENERAL ASSEMBLY IN KENTUCKY WOULD EVER DO THAT.

>> .

>> Renee: AND THAT IS NOT SOMETHING YOU WOULD APPROACH?

>> MEDICAID IS A STATE PROGRAM RUN BY STATE GOVERNMENT WHO MAKE DECISIONS WHAT THEY SPEND THAT IS UP TO THE STATES.

BUT FEDERAL GOVERNMENT PAYS FOR A LARGE PART OF IT.

AND IN THE EXPANSION POPULATION AFTER THE AFFORDABLE CARE ACT, THE FEDERAL GOVERNMENT PAYS 90% OF IT.

IT'S BALLOONED AND GROWN ASTRONOMICALLY AND WE HAVE A BUDGET DEFICIT.

WE WANT TO GET A HANDLE ON THE GROWTH.

IF STATES ARE SPENDING MONEY TODAY ON THOSE PROGRAMS AND THEY CAN LET THE PROGRAMS GROW AT INFLATION THEY CAN STILL RUN THE PROGRAMS.

IF THEY WANT TO BE INEFFICIENT OR SAY WELL, IF YOU ARE GOING TO HOLD US TO INFLATION WE'RE GOING TO TAKE THIS MONEY AND SPEND IT SOMEWHERE ELSE.

I HAVE MORE FAITH IN OUR STATE GOVERNMENT THAN DEMOCRATS DO.

>> Renee: IT'S NOT ABOUT CHANGING THE FORMULA FROM 90/10 TO 70/30.

>> THERE HAS BEEN DISCUSSIONS ON THAT BUT I'M SAYING THAT PROBABLY IS NOT GOING TO HAPPEN.

>> Renee: AND THERE IS A LOT TO STILL BE LEARNED ABOUT THIS.

PARTICULARLY FOR THIS COMMUNITY THAT IS WATCHING WHO IS CONCERNED ABOUT THE FATE AND THE FUTURE OF DRUG ADDICTION AND RECOVERY EFFORTS PARTICULARLY FOR THOSE WHO ARE MEDICAID ELIGIBLE HOW WOULD YOU ALLAY THEIR FEARS.

>> WE'RE GOING TO PASS A BILL BIPARTISAN NEXT TUESDAY OUT OF ENERGY AND COMMERCE COMMITTEE THE SUPPORT ACT SO WE ARE ALL IN THIS TOGETHER.

WE EXPANDED MEDICAID BENEFITS BIPARTISANS TO MOTHERS FOR AN EXTRA YEAR AFTER THEY HAVE THE BABY.

THESE THINGS ARE ALL BIPARTISAN.

WE ARE NOT TRYING TO CHANGE THOSE PROGRAMS.

BUT WE DO SEE INCREDIBLE GROWTH IN THE MEDICAID PROGRAM BECAUSE IT'S BEEN THE INCENTIVE TO STATE'S MANAGE IT.

STATES DECIDE WHAT THEY ARE GOING TO SPEND WHEN YOU ARE GETTING 90% OF THE MONEY FROM THE FEDERAL GOVERNMENT A CHANGE FROM THE AFFORDABLE CARE ACT WE'LL LET YOU KEEP THE 90%, THE 70/30 IS ON THE TABLE I DON'T THINK IT HAS THE VOTES TO PASS.

I WILL BE HONEST, IT'S BEEN DISCUSSED.

BUT WHAT NEEDS TO HAPPEN IF YOU ARE GOING TO GET 90% OF THE MONEY FROM THE FEDERAL GOVERNMENT FOR A STATE PROGRAM, THE FEDERAL TAXPAYER NEEDS TO MAKE SURE YOU ARE MANAGING THAT AND THE ONLY WAY TO DO THAT OTHER THAN LOWERING THE PERCENTAGE IS SAY YOU CAN GROW AT INFLATION AND YOU SHOULD BE ABLE TO MANAGE THE PROGRAM WITHOUT CUTTING BENEFITS.

>> WHILE FEDERAL FUNDING FOR DRUG TREATMENT AND OTHER HEALTH CARE SERVICES AND PROGRAMS ARE TOP OF MIND FOR SOME, DOCTOR NORA VOLKOW HAS ANOTHER CONCERN TO ADD WHEN POSED THIS QUESTION•.

WITH THE WIDENING AVAILABILITY OF MEDICAL CANNABIS, BOTH IN TERMS OF MEDICINAL AND RECREATIONAL, HAS THE PUBLIC HEALTH POLICIES AND PRACTICES KEPT PACE WITH THAT ENLARGEMENT OF THE AVAILABILITY OF MEDICAL CANNABIS?

AND WHAT COURSE CORRECTION IN YOUR VIEW SHOULD HAPPEN AT THIS JUNG TOUR?

>> WELL -- YOUNG TUR.

>> WE HAVE NOT KEPT PACE WITH IT AND THERE HAVE BEEN ISSUES THAT THE DISTRACTED US FROM SEEING HOW CANNABIS HAS PERMEATED OUR COMMUNITIES.

AND NOT JUST CANNABIS IT'S RECOGNIZING THAT THE CANNABIS PROBLEMS -- PRODUCTS BEING SOLD ARE INCREASINGLY MORE POTENT AND THE CONSEQUENCE WE'RE SEEING IS THE PATTERN OF CONSUMPTION IS NOT JUST THAT MORE PEOPLE ARE CONSUMING IT BUT THE PEOPLE ARE CONSUMING IT IN WAYS MUCH MORE HARMFUL THAN THEY DID IN THE PAST.

AND WE HAVE KEPT OUR EYES DISTRACTED BY THE OVERDOSE CRISIS.

SO AND I MADE THE POINT THAT SPECIFICALLY EXPLICITLY STATING WE NEED TO ACTUALLY TARGET PREVENTION AND PREVENTION IS NOT PREVENTING PEOPLE FROM USING ONE SPECIFIC DRUG.

WE NEED TO PREVENT DRUG USE AMONG YOUNG PEOPLE WHICH ARE THE MOST VULNERABLE.

AND ALSO PREVENT IN GENERAL, THE INCREASING UTILIZATIONS OF MORE AND MORE POWERFUL DRUGS.

AND CANNABIS THE PRODUCTS THAT ARE BEING SOLD HAVE A MUCH HIGHER CONTENT OF THC AND THEY COME IN DIVERSE FORMS IT'S LEADING PEOPLE TO EXPOSURES WE HAVE NEVER SEEN.

WE ARE SEEING MEDICAL CONSEQUENCES OF MARIJUANA OF CANNABIS OF THC.

WE DID NOT KNOW ABOUT.

YOUNG PEOPLE DYING FROM MYOCARDIAL PROBLEMS.

PEOPLE WITH VASE USE LAR ACCIDENTS WITH HIGH CONTENT THC.

PEOPLE BECOMING PSYCHOTIC FROM HIGH CONTENT THC AND PEOPLE GETTING INTO ACCIDENTS AND SORT OF STRANGE MEDICAL SYNDROMES THAT EMERGE WITH THESE HIGH CONTENT THC AND, YES, WE'RE SEEING THE CONSEQUENCES FROM THE CONSUMPTION.

>> AS WE WRAP UP TONIGHT• WE WANTED A PERSPECTIVE FROM A NATIONAL JOURNALIST WHOSE ATTENDED THE RX SUMMIT FOR MANY YEARS.

WALL STREET JOURNAL REPORTER, JULIE WERNAU, HAS WATCHED THE DRUG CRISIS EVOLVE AND THE CONFERENCE’S RESPONSE TO IT.

HERE’S HER VIEW• >> IT'S INCREDIBLE HOW MUCH THE DRUG CRISIS CHANGES IN FOUR YEARS.

WHEN I FIRST STARTED COMING TO THIS, THEY HAD JUST STARTED TALKING ABOUT IT AS THE ILLICIT DRUG CONFERENCE IT USED TO BE THE HEROIN CONFERENCE.

IF YOU LOOK AT THE DATA FEW PEOPLE ARE USING REAL HEROIN ANYMORE.

SO THEY RECOGNIZE THAT AND ACTUALLY CHANGED THE TITLE OF THE CONFERENCE.

TODAY YOU ARE HEARING A LOT ABOUT POLY SUBSTANCE USE.

HOW FENTANYL IS SORT OF NOW BEING USED IN TANDEM WITH THINGS LIKE METHAMPHETAMINE AND XYLAZINE OR TRINK JUST A TOTALLY DIFFERENT WORLD THAN IT WAS A FEW YEARS AGO WHEN I FIRST GOT HERE, THE OVERDOSES WERE CONTINUING TO CLIMB.

OVERDOSE DEATHS NOW ARE ON THE DECLINE.

HAD A DRAMATIC DECLINE.

SO YOU HAVE A LOT OF PEOPLE HERE AT THIS CONFERENCE TALKING ABOUT THE REASONS THAT THEY THINK THAT MIGHT BE HAPPENING.

IT IS A REALLY INTERESTING INTELLECTUAL EXERCISE TO PARS THE DATA AND FIGURE OUT SOME THING IS WORKING WHAT IS IT?

CAN WE DO MORE OF IT?

CAN WE SPREAD THAT?

A LOTTED OF PEOPLE HAVE SEEN PEOPLE COME AND GO AND THINGS THAT DIDN'T WORK AND THERE IS A LOT OF HOPE RIGHT NOW, RIGHT?

A NEW ADMINISTRATION WITH NEW IDEAS AND SOME OF WHAT THE QUESTIONS ARE THAT I'M HEARING FROM PEOPLE ARE OKAY WHAT HAPPENS IF HE MANAGES TO STOP DRUGS AT THE BORDER, WILL THEY COME FROM SOMEWHERE ELSE?

THAT COMES UP QUITE A LOT.

AND HOW DO WE QUICKLY IDENTIFY WHERE THEY ARE COMING FROM AND HOW TO STOP THEM.

THAT HAS BEEN A PROBLEM IN THE PAST IT'S BEEN DIFFICULT TO GET INFORMATION IN REALTIME.

A BIG THING THE TRUMP ADMINISTRATION TALKEDDED ABOUT IS CHANGING THAT.

MAKING DATA AND INFORMATION MUCH MORE READILY AVAILABLE SO THAT WE CAN SEE WHAT IS HAPPENING IN A MUCH MORE REALTIME MANNER.

INFORMATION IS SPREADING IN SOME WAYS THROUGH WORD OF MOUTH.

AND SOME OF THOSE CONVERSATIONS START HERE.

THERE'S PUBLIC HEALTH OFFICIALS WHO ARE TRYING THEY'VE SEEN SOMETHING IN THEIR COMMUNITY THEY ARE NOT REALLY SURE WHO TO GO TO ABOUT IT MAYBE THEY ARE TRYING TO GET FENTANYL TEST STRIPS OR SOMETHING OR MAYBE THEY WANT TO UNDERSTAND HOW TO STOP THE CYCLE OF RECIDIVISM INSIDE THEIR JAIL AND THEY LEARN SOMETHING HERE AND THEN TAKE THAT BACK TO THEIR COMMUNITY.

IT IS A VERY, YOU KNOW, ANALOGUE WAY IN SOME WAYS OF SPREADING INFORMATION THAT STILL WORKS ACTUALLY.

PEOPLE I'VE MET HERE BEFORE HELP USHER ME INTO THE PRISON SYSTEM WHERE THEY ARE USING MEDICATIONS FOR OPIOID TREATMENT INSIDE PRISONS AND JAILS.

I HAVE GOTTEN A LOT OF INFORMATION ABOUT THE CHANGING DRUG SUPPLY AS WELL.

AND HAD A LOT OF STORIES THAT THE GERM OF THE IDEA SHOWED UP FROM THE CONFERENCE WHERE I MET WITH PEOPLE TALKING ABOUT THINGS I NEVER HEARD OF BEFORE.

AND THAT LED ME TO GO AND INVESTIGATE THAT ON THE GROUND IN THE REAL WORLD OUTSIDE OF THIS CONFERENCE.

>> FOR MORE INFORMATION ABOUT ADDICTION, YOU CAN CHECK OUT OUR WEBSITE, WHERE WE HAVE A LIBRARY OF INTERVIEWS, STORIES AND PROGRAMS ABOUT THE DRUG EPIDEMIC• THAT’S ONLINE AND ON-DEMAND AT KET.ORG.

IF YOU OR SOMEONE YOU KNOW NEEDS RESOURCES ON DRUG TREATMENT AND RECOVERY PATHWAYS• FIND-HELP-NOW-DOT-ORG-SLASH-KY CAN HELP CONNECT YOU TO PROVIDERS AND FACILITIES THAT CAN HELP.

THANK YOU SO MUCH FOR WATCHING THIS SPECIAL EDITION OF KENTUCKY TONIGHT ABOUT THE RX AND ILLICIT DRUG SUMMIT.

WE’LL HAVE SHARE MORE NEXT MONDAY NIGHT AT 8 EASTERN, 7 CENTRAL RIGHT HERE ON KET.

APPRECIATE YOU JOINING US.

I’M RENEE SHAW.

TAKE GOOD CARE.