Did Trump "Cure" The Opioid Epidemic In Rural America? Or Did His Policies Make It Even Worse?

In 2016, Trump campaigned, at least in rural areas, that he would “cure” the opioid crisis. He didn’t. A 2020 report by the National Institute on Drug Abuse (NIDA) found that rural Americans are more likely to report past-year prescription opioid misuse than urban Americans. That year the rate of drug overdose deaths in rural counties was 26.6% higher than in urban counties. A 2021 report by the CDC found that the drug overdose death rate in rural areas increased by 44% from 2015 to 2020, while the rate in urban areas increased by 21%. The following year, a study by the Kaiser Family Foundation found that rural Americans are more likely than urban Americans to die from opioid overdoses, even when controlling for other factors such as age, race, and ethnicity.

After Trump was elected, the opioid crisis ceased to be a priority for Trump and his administration’s weak efforts did next to nothing to address the root causes of the disaster, such as poverty, lack of access to treatment, and the over-prescription of opioids. His policies on immigration and healthcare made it even more difficult for people to access treatment for addiction.

A few days ago Jerrad Christian’s Ohio congressional campaign sent out an e-mail: “This is what evil looks like: the Sackler family, who owned and operated the opioid giant Purdue Pharma, are arguing today that the settlement they offered to avoid personal liability for their roles in fueling the opioid epidemic should be upheld by the Supreme Court. The current deal would protect more than just the Sackler family themselves— it would shield from liability, and any future litigation, the vast network of enablers that happily did their dirty work over many years:

• Lobbyists, who worked the political system at a state and federal level to help avoid litigation for as long as possible, which exponentially extended the generational impact of the opioid epidemic;

• Consultants and PR specialists who helped Purdue Pharma spin a positive image while they knowingly exposed millions of unwitting individuals to life-destroying addiction; and

• Doctors who were paid to push pills and received lavish gifts and compensation from Purdue Pharma and the Sackler family.

Whatever happens with the Sacklers’ bankruptcy case, there is so much more that Congress should be doing to seek justice and to implement strong safeguards to stop pharmaceutical industry exploitation. Until members of Congress are no longer beholden to big insurance companies and Big Pharma lobbyists, none of this will happen. My opponent is one of the most reliable backers of a health care system that regularly fails us and allows for ruthless amoral exploiters like the Sacklers and their cartel, Purdue Pharma, to destroy lives. The only way we can stop this is by electing new leaders who put the interests of real people above the interests of a wealthy few. I will never accept lobbyist money, or corporate PAC checks to my campaign because when I am elected, I want to only be accountable to the people who voted for me. I am not, and never will be, for sale.”

I called Christian up to ask him if this opioid crisis is impacting people in his sprawling Ohio district, represented in Congress by a do-nothing Republican, Troy Balderson. Below is what he told me. If it appeals to you, please consider contributing to his campaign, even it’s just $5 or $10.

The opioid epidemic, a national tragedy, has its roots in the actions of companies like Purdue Pharma, owned by the Sackler family. The Sacklers are currently seeking to uphold a settlement to avoid personal liability, a move that would shield not only themselves but a network of enablers, including lobbyists, consultants, and doctors, who played roles in exacerbating the crisis. These enablers manipulated the political system, spun positive images for Purdue Pharma, and prescribed opioids excessively, contributing to widespread addiction and devastating communities across America.

In rural areas, the impact of this crisis has been particularly severe, with drug overdose deaths surpassing those in urban settings. The rate of these deaths is about 50% higher in rural areas, reflecting socio-economic disparities and limited healthcare access. The crisis in these communities reflects the broader impact of opioid abuse across various drug categories, with substances like Fentanyl being involved in a significant proportion of overdose deaths. My generation was decimated by the impacts of this crisis and has still not recovered.

In 2017 drug overdoses became the leading cause of death for Americans younger than 50 years old. While families lost children that will never come back and we pay the full cost of the opioid epidemic that reached nearly $1.5 trillion in 2020, the Sackler family is fighting to save their yachts, mansions and political influence.

The situation underscores the need for a proactive response from Congress and the importance of electing leaders committed to the welfare of their constituents over corporate interests. The fight against the opioid epidemic is not just a legal battle but a moral one, requiring leaders who are accountable to the people, not influenced by pharmaceutical lobbyists or corporate PACs. Only through such dedicated leadership can we hope to address the deep-rooted issues of the opioid crisis and protect future generations from similar exploitation.