$50 Billion Opioid Settlement—Funding Psychedelic Research?
Over the next 18 years, states will receive over $50 billion from settlements with opioid manufacturers, distributors, and retailers. Secured through the suffering of people who use drugs, these funds should be used to help individuals directly impacted by the failed “War on Drugs.” Sadly, we are not seeing opioid settlement dollars put toward improving lives, despite dramatic increases in deaths and harms from opioid pill dispensing. Stemming from corporate greed, OSF monies are going to the usual cast of characters (Methadone/Suboxone clinics) instead of innovations in psychedelic-assisted therapies.
Programming descriptions are generated by participants and do not necessarily reflect the opinions of SXSW.
Bryan Hubbard JD
Kentucky Opioid Abatement Commission
Sue Sisley Md
Scottsdale Research Institute/Field To Healed Foundation