In 2014, One State Had Political Ads Mentioning Opioids. This Year There’s 25.
Ads about the opioid crisis are particularly prominent in hard-hit states, such as Ohio and West Virginia. In other news from the epidemic: pain patients push back on new restrictions on medication and businesses are encouraging workers to be up front about their addiction.
The Wall Street Journal:
Opioid Crisis Emerges As A Dominant Campaign Theme
In the past four years, the opioid crisis has grown from an afterthought in political campaigns to an important issue in some of this fall’s biggest midterm races, according to television advertising data from Kantar Media/CMAG. An analysis by The Wall Street Journal found that, so far in 2018, ads containing opioid messaging have aired more than 50,000 times across 25 states. At this point in 2014, there had been only one political TV ad touching on the topic that aired 70 times—in Kentucky’s Senate race. (Chinni, Jamerson and Dougherty, 9/19)
The Associated Press:
Pain Patients Rally For Easing Opioid Restrictions
Chronic-pain patients in Maryland are asking for help in easing restrictions they face in getting drugs to treat their pain because of the crackdown on opioids. About two dozen people attended a rally in front of the Maryland State House on Tuesday where participants held signs that said: “Don’t Punish Pain,” and “Make Health Care Again.” (9/18)
Pioneer Press:
Minnesota Business Leaders Encourage Workers To Come Clean About Their Addictions And Get Help
The opioid crisis has gotten so bad that some employers are struggling to find sober workers. “The drug-testing challenge is a significant one for hiring,” said Charlie Weaver, executive director of the Minnesota Business Partnership, an organization of 120 CEOs from companies that employ about 400,000 Minnesotans. (Magan, 9/18)
