Demonstrators protest the Food and Drug Administration's policies related to pharmaceutical opioids at a rally in front of the Health and Human Services headquarters in Washington.

Demonstrators protest the Food and Drug Administration's policies related to pharmaceutical opioids at a rally in front of the Health and Human Services headquarters in Washington. / AP Photo

On this edition of Political Rewind, the opioid crisis is a nationwide plague, killing or holding hostage to drug addiction countless Americans.

Over the past decade, opioid-related deaths in the state have skyrocketed. And state officials like Attorney General Chris Carr say the crisis plays no favorites.

Our panel of experts help us understand how addiction to opioids became so widespread and what steps are being taken by the medical community, law enforcement, and elected officials to stem the epidemic of misuse.

 

Panelists:

Kevin Riley -- Editor, The Atlanta Journal-Constitution

Neil Campbell -- Executive Director, Georgia Council on Substance Abuse

Teresa Johnston -- Executive Director, KSU Center for Young Adult Addiction & Recovery

Austin Brown -- Associate Director, KSU Center for Young Adult Addiction & Recovery

Cassandra Price -- Director of Addictive Diseases Unit at the Department of Behavioral Health and Development Disabilities

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