The American Pain Association launched its “Turn the Tide Summit†tour to combat the opioid epidemic in the United States at the Rowan University Medical School in Camden, NJ, on December 13.
The event was attended by, among others, New Jersey Gov. Chris Christie, star athletes Marvin Washington, Riley Cote and Todd Herremans, and Bollywood singer Ali Quali Mirza.
The tour will continue in other states in an ongoing effort to generate awareness and open up dialogue concerning the opioid epidemic and ways to combat an increasingly deadly crisis, Dr. Sanjay Gupta, the president of the American Pain Association and the organizer of the tour, told The American Bazaar.
He added that the tour will provide a platform for lawmakers, athletes, artists and others to come together in the fight against the epidemic.
“We need more dialogue and discussion on this epidemic,†he said, pointing out that it has killed youths and kids of all races and ages.
In October, President Trump declared the opioid crisis as a public health emergency. Since 2000, more than 300,000 Americans have died from overdoses involving opioids, according to the White House.
Dr Gupta, who is the director of Atlantic Pain Institute in Philadelphia, said, “We not only need to declare an emergency but need to raise a war against this epidemic in United States and worldwide, as this is killing more people than any war or terrorist attack. We need to have an “inter-agency central command center” at the international, national and state levels to coordinate efforts against this epidemic. â€
Dr. Gupta said the severity of this epidemic can be gauged by the fact that just​ ​last​ ​year​ ​the​ ​number​ ​of​ ​American​ ​opioid deaths exceeded the US causalities in​ ​the​ ​entire​ ​Vietnam​ ​War.​ “But somehow, and unfortunately, all efforts over the years to curb this deadly epidemic have failed,†he said.
“Because of this epidemic a 9/11 disaster is happening every two weeks and we are committed to putting a stop to this,†said Christie, who also chairs the White House Opioid Crisis Commission, in his keynote address.
Saying that a joint public and private effort is needed to combat the epidemic, the governor said the government will not be able to do it alone. He cited the example of AIDS epidemic, where people came marching on the streets to gather support for a disease that has “huge stigma.â€
Christie thanked Dr. Sanjay Gupta and his wife, Dr. Kavita Gupta, for leading the American Pain Association’s national efforts against this epidemic. He described the launch of the “Turn the Tide†tour as “historic.â€
With the use of opioids in sports having an impact, professional athletes are also joining the fight against the epidemic. The presences of former New York Jets defense end Washington​, former Philadelphia Eagles and Indianapolis Colts offensive guard Todd Herremans​ and former Philadelphia Flyers left winger Cote is a proof of that.
The three stars shared some of their personal experiences with opioids.
“We are a generation in crisis,†said Washington. “This is a bipartisan issue, affecting all walks of life, indiscriminate of religion, race or gender.â€
“This is an opportunity for policy makers, medical professionals, athletes and patients alike to approach these issues together,†said Cote, who cofounded “Athletes for Careâ€
Herremans note: “Professional sports teach you what it means to be a team. If we truly want to save lives and end the opioid epidemic, it’s time for our nation to come together as a team; leaving no stone unturned until a viable solution has been found.â€
Another prominent speaker was Ali Quali Mirza, a Bollywood singer and rapper.
“We need to engage kids in music and arts and teach them ways to be happy without drugs or drinking and smoking,†he said. “I consider today a historic launch of a new era and hopefully slowly this worldwide deadly tide will turn. I am so glad to join all the athletes and music and film professionals in this great effort. I agree with Dr. Gupta that Hollywood and Bollywood can help a lot in spreading the message that one can be happy without smoking, drinking and drugs.â€
Mirza said although there is huge “peer pressure†he doesn’t drink or smoke.
The daylong event also featured a number of guest speakers. They included Dr. Edgar Ross, Director of the Pain Management Center at Harvard Medical School; Dr. J. Cheng, Director of the Cleveland Clinic Pain Fellowship Program; Dr. Michael Sabia, Chair of Cooper University Hospital Pain Program; and Dr. Vanila Singh, Chief Medical Officer for the Office of the Assistant Secretary for Health at the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services.
The American Pain Association said it is planning a public social media campaign with hashtag #turnthetide under the leadership of Dr. Kavita Gupta’s to engage and stimulate families and public against the epidemic.
“In the age of social media, music and film content from Hollywood and Bollywood is uncensored and spreads virally sending wrong message worldwide,†Dr Gupta said. “We need a conscious and active participation from Hollywood and Bollywood industry in this.â€
She pointed that opioids have taken the lives of many Hollywood celebrities, such as Michael Jackson, Whitney Houston and Heath Ledger. “We need to start discussing and talking about this topic that has huge stigma attached to it,†she said. “Keeping quiet and under the rug will only make the situation worst.â€
International summit in India
Dr. Sanjay Gupta also announced that the organization is planning to take the campaign to other countries, including India, where the organization is considering hosting an international summit on the issue.
He pointed out that Indian American youths and kids from the Indian diaspora are “especially prone to smoking, drinking and drugs given the immense parental and competitive pressure.â€
Dr. Gupta said although the trend is increasing in India, not many are talking about it, and, as a result, it remains a hidden epidemic.
“​With 65 percent of its population under 35 years of age, India is a young country and it is a really big danger, as the epidemic  can spread devastatingly and we should stop it before it is too late,†he said. “It is sad that the country of Swami Vivekananda and Prime Minister Narendra Modi, who are the pinnacles and examples of strong character and strength, is falling prey to the drugs. ​India should be the leader and example to the world in not succumbing to drugs. But unfortunately, we are blindly following the West, which itself is badly destroyed by drugs. India should be teaching the West how to be live without drugs, drinking and smoking, rather than learning from the West to drink or do drugs.”