On February 22nd, 2018 Dr Andrew took part in a live stream broadcast entitled “Addiction in America: On the Front Lines – Boston” from the Washington Post.
Click this link for the full program – “Addiction in America“
Dr Andrew was one of the experts who contributed to a discussion of the increase in opioid related deaths in New England.
Dr Andrew’s panel was entitled “Addiction in America: On the Front Lines of Our Communities”, please click this link for a recording of the discussion
Panelist Dr. Thomas Andrew speaks about Addition in America.
The panel included Dr. Thomas Andrew, Forensic Pathologist, Kevin Coppinger, Sheriff of Essex County, Massachusetts, and Joanne Peterson, Founder and Executive Director of Learn to Cope, share stories of hope and resilience and offer solutions to support the families of those struggling with addiction.
Dr. Thomas Andrew, a forensic pathologist and former Chief Medical Examiner for the state of New Hampshire, shared his unique perspective on the opioid crisis. Dr. Andrew emphasized the ripple effects of the crisis, affecting not just the victims but also families, law enforcement, and healthcare providers. Some of the key points he went over are below:
The Spiritual Toll
One of the most striking aspects of Dr. Andrew’s talk was his focus on the spiritual dimension of the crisis. After 20 years in forensic pathology, he found himself pondering the spiritual implications for both the deceased and those left behind. This led him to a surprising career pivot: seminary training.
A Public Health Disaster
Dr. Andrew describes the opioid crisis as a “slowly unfolding tsunami” that has been plaguing society for over a decade. He candidly discusses the emotional toll it takes on families and healthcare providers alike.
From Assessment to Prevention
After years in assessment and secondary prevention, Dr. Andrew now feels called to focus on primary prevention. His aim is to mentor young people to prevent them from starting dangerous behaviors in the first place.
The Role of Prescriptions
He finds it particularly tragic that some individuals in their 30s and 40s were “prescribed into addiction,” highlighting the role that healthcare providers have played in fueling the crisis.
Community Collaboration
Dr. Andrew is optimistic about the future, particularly because of the collaborative efforts he sees between medical professionals, community members, and law enforcement. He believes this multi-disciplinary approach is the key to solving the crisis.
A Long-term Effort
He acknowledges that solving the opioid crisis will be a long-term effort, akin to how society has dealt with cigarette smoking. However, he remains hopeful that these combined efforts will eventually lead to a solution.
To listen to full session watch the video above.
