Right, reduce the "stigma". That'll work great.-----In Michigan’s opioid crisis, deaths are the problem – not stigma

In Michigan’s opioid crisis, deaths are the problem – not stigma  By James David Dickson

• Why deal with the problem when you can change the conversation?
  

"Michigan has an opioid problem. 

And it’s getting worse.
But to hear Michigan’s public health officials tell it, stigma is a fate worse than death.
In November 2019, the Michigan Department of Health and Human Services announced a $1 million ad campaign designed to “change the conversation” about opioid addiction. I’m sorry — “substance use disorder.”

• “With increased medical understanding and the 17-times increase in opioid overdose deaths since 1999, the Michigan Department of Health and Human Services (MDHHS) is working to address the stigmas associated with opioid use so that residents will be better supported and directed to treatment,” read the announcement for the ad campaign.

An eye-popping increase in death tolls – even going from 1 to 17 would be noteworthy, but the actual numbers were 99 deaths in 1999 and 1,788 in 2017 – merits further examination, but the health department’s announcement never shared those numbers..."