The opioid epidemic was the topic of discussion at the Fountain Hills Republic Club meeting Saturday, March 16.

Dr. Matthew Keene, a renowned expert on addictive substances and currently the executive director of the Suboxone Certified Addiction Network, was keynote speaker.

Prior to Keene’s presentation, Congressman David Schweikert made a few comments about issues Congress is working on and the expected or hoped for results.

Keene’s message to the club was that the allure of “safe opioids” has a dangerous history of repeating, leading to the current crisis. Surprisingly, heroin was first marketed as an over-the-counter, non-addictive treatment to get World War I soldiers off morphine.

The medical profession replicated that same mindset in the mid-1990s with the launch of Oxycontin. Doctors and the public were told the drug was innocuous with little risk of addiction.

By 2012, doctors were writing more than 259 million prescription opiates each year. Such an ample supply led to diversion, misuse and abuse. Oxycontin became a popular, yet expensive, street drug. Heroin resurfaced as a cheaper way to fill the void.

The overall death rate due to opiates surpassed the death rate from motor vehicle accidents for the first time ever between 2002 and 2012. Finally, a national emergency was declared.

Arizona intervened by mandating clinicians check the state’s pharmacy database before prescribing a controlled substance to make certain patients weren’t “doctor shopping.” The number and strength prescribed are now limited except under specific circumstances. As a result, prescription opioid use dropped. New heroin use dropped. Despite the good news, the overall rate of opioid overdose continues to rise. Why? One word: Fentanyl.

Fentanyl is 100 times more potent than heroin and much cheaper to make and transport.

Keene said communities can do their part in stopping the problem. He said all measures to prevent the flow of fentanyl from China through Mexico to the U.S. should be explored. Next, recognize that for those afflicted, help is available.

A variety of Medication Assisted Treatments (MAT) are available ranging from Methadone to Suboxone to Vivitrol that address the biologic underpinnings of addiction. Finally, recognize that beyond biology, environment plays a decided role.

Keene cited social media’s role in adding to the opioid epidemic. Social media are surprisingly socially isolating, placing today’s youth at great risk for addiction. He said in order to claim victory over the opioid epidemic, people need to disconnect themselves for excessive social media use and reconnect with family and healthy friendships.

In Schweikert’s remarks, he noted the many issues Congress faces include the seriousness of the opioid crisis and the legal and illegal drug situation and actions the Congress is taking to make those issues better.

Keene commented that Congressman Schweikert’s comments and concerns about opioid and other drugs were dead on and that Congress needs to take appropriate actions, including controlling the movement of drugs over our southern border.

The club’s next meeting April 20 will feature Republican Party Chair Dr. Kelli Ward. The public is invited to attend.