Opioid Settlements: Last Week Tonight with John Oliver (HBO)

John Oliver discusses how opioid settlements are being spent in the US, why there’s still time to make sure they’re spent in better ways, and the Taylor Swift metric for seriousness.
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[@Montesama314]

A lawsuit that bans any future victims from suing a company forever sounds like a pass for that company to do worse in the future.

[@DanArnets1492]

They could be judged for FUTURE actions... but not again from anything that happened before ¿2024? or whatever

[@DurkMcGerk]

They're not scared of lawsuits, it's a cost of doing business. They have the best lawyers. That means lawsuits aren't the answer to get their behavior to change. Another method is needed to incentivize them to change.

[@DontReadMyProfilePicture566]

Don't read my name!

[@ameanoacid6176]

@@DurkMcGerk Unfortunately that would likely require political action, and America isn't known for having a good political system when it comes to setting boundaries for companies.

[@9Johnny8]

Yeah, that was my reaction as well. Can a settlement bar anyone who's not part of the settlement from suing? The state gets their settlement money and then the actual victims lose their chance for suing the company? When they had no say in or benefit from that settlement?

[@brandonlm0125]

Counselor here. A large portion of this settlement money has gone to prisons to install cameras, body scanners, etc. Also to police departments to help arrest more addicts and maybe 1 actual dealers each year. Local spending of these funds where I’m at are not helping anyone, let alone those who need it most.

[@Im_Too_Ghostly]

Oh my gods....this is disgusting. I am not even remotely surprised to read this, though 🤦🏼‍♂️ classic USA

[@RonnieOP]

Are you surprised?

[@Secret_Takodachi]

What a surprise: the government that failed to protect their citizens from the problem in the first place is now failing to direct the money awarded from legal settlements towards services that actually help treat addiction. It's almost like making addicts into scapgoats makes it impossible for politicians to even recognize them as the victims that multiple courts have ruled them to be. Unaccountable power always acts with impunity.

[@ELEMENTARYWATSON52]

That is pitiful as f. States in the Midwest are HORRIBLE at providing aide to addicts.

[@vanessawhitneypro]

Interesting. How do you find this information? You worked on this case?

[@Hannah_L_Roberts]

Both of my parents were addicts, my father passed when I was 13 and my mother has been removed from my life due to the ongoing abuse she inflicted. The doctors that prescribed those pills could have opened their eyes and stepped in long before 5 kids became orphans and were adopted by their grandmother who works full time and makes next to nothing. She deserved to retire. We deserved a childhood.

[@fitojb]

This is so heartbreaking :(

[@allstarplayergk1081]

More like your parents likely had severe mental or physical pain that the opioids were relieving. The answer isn’t stopping opioid prescriptions and dealing with the fallout. The answer is getting rid of this god awful death care system where insurances act like death panels. IF(big if, there’s a lot of lies about opiate addicts starting because of prescription pills prescribed to them) your parents began their addiction because of pain pills it was because the doctor/hospital/insurance had two options. 1) A well thought out course of investigation and treatment of whatever was causing the need for opioids by a team of internal medicine physicians, specialists, therapists etc or 2) Throw pills at them. 1) Is extremely expensive for the insurance or completely out of reach financially for the patient as well as eats into valuable time for the doctors to treat as many people as possible to extract the most money as possible. 2) is a a quick fix, funneled insane cash into doctors pockets through kick backs(until outlawed in 2010), was cheaper for insurance than thorough investigation via multiple specialists and diagnostics and created a customer for life. The problem was never the sacklers, it was never Purdue, the fucking problem is that throwing pills at someone was the easiest, fastest, and most lucrative way to kick the can down the road because the real solution would bankrupt the average American or eat into the gigantic profits of insurance companies. It’s always been about profits over people. The opioid “crisis” is a made up lie to justify these billions in lawsuits funneling money into politicians, lawyers, and the police’s bank accounts. Before 2011, the year the most opioids were prescribed, opioids had never even had a fraction of deaths associated to them in comparison to alcohol, tobacco, obesity, or fucking guns.

[@gardotd426]

The doctors' eyes were never closed. Do you not know that they overprescribed opiates during that time because they received financial kickbacks from it? Their eyes were wide open and full of dollar signs. I know it's so tempting to want to blame a doctor or any one person or something that if only they did or didn't do one thing, you'd have had your parents and the childhood you deserved. But that's not how it works or what happened. The opioid crisis was a deliberate act committed by the pharmaceutical companies for profit, enabled by the government to rid the population of the lower and working classes and those they see as weak, and executed by the doctors who knew what they were doing but were being paid too much to care. Think of the Crack epidemic or AIDS crisis. That's what happened here. Same exact thing.

[@thatjillgirl]

That's the part that gets me. Who has been sued over their role in the opioid crisis? Drug companies, wholesalers, and pharmacy chains. But who hasn't been? The many, many doctors who overprescribed said opioids in the first place, many of whom knew full well the potential risks. I know the reason is that the pockets of individual doctors aren't as deep, but it drives me crazy how few prescribers saw any kind of meaningful consequences for their role in the whole mess.

[@rogerc23]

And John Oliver likes to make a massive joke about it. Not at all going after big pharma Or the China govt for pushing these drugs But supporting Biden and Hunter the crack addict who do nothing to stop this problem

[@tanman99]

As a pharmacist I approve…the way your graphic artists made that pill split in a realistic fashion and not clean down the middle. That little unevenness at the end is a perfect representation of what it’s like to split a pill in half. 😂

[@rukhtalos8587]

Not a pharmacist, but one of my medications has to split in half. It never breaks cleanly.

[@survivormary1126]

Talking about lives and your admiring the Artistry. Look at all the people that think it's cool when your showing exactly how detached the ones dispensing poison are as long as those checks keep rolling in.

[@Anthony-ky7nd]

​@@survivormary1126 I would love to never have to dispense another opioid again, but all my cancer patients who are in a lot of pain wouldn't be too happy about it.

[@cullenmceaneney7024]

@@survivormary1126 I can find something stupid to complain about, too: You spelled "you're" wrong not once, but twice.

[@schneir5]

I'm beyond proud that it's been over 64 months since the last time I shot up or even saw a drug like fentanyl. The last time was December 17, 2018, and so far it's been the last time I woke up on a bathroom floor with a needle still in my arm. The last couple years have been tough, but I've really turned to exercise to cope, and at least now I'm in the best shape of my life too. I was as bad of an opioid junkie as there's ever been. I lied, cheated, and stole from the people who cared about me the most. One of the main motivations for me to not relapse this time was my dad's death. I know he wouldn't want me to use, and I like to think that he would be proud of me now.

[@ilanarhian]

Congrats! Best wishes to you

[@VCV95]

I'm proud of you. It's hard to get and stay clean. Congratulations!

[@whosonfirst1309]

Your Father would be proud of you now. Without a doubt. And you should be proud of yourself also, you’ve come a long way and have as much of a hard road to go. I’ve been on the bright for 26yrs and have never regretted it at all. The best thing I’ve ever done. Good luck and god bless.

[@helenhettinger-hayes]

I'm proud of you also my last boof was Dec 20 2017. My parents died of heroin needle problems hep c and suicides that's why I boofed but it's the same. Drugs man. I'm on Suboxone but want 2 get off desperately. Exercise I will try. I'm proud of you.🎉🎉🎉

[@George-fu9vu]

Well done! I hope you're happy.

[@naomiwillis5665]

“Let’s just tell kids not to, it’s really bad” Because that’s worked with everything else lmao

[@MWorsa]

This man was President 😐

[@helenryan5217]

Maybe the First Lady should start a campaign. It could have a real catchy slogan, like "Just say no." That ought to be effective.

[@claytoncourtney1309]

what is actually wrong with that advice though? It costs NOTHING and even if it only convinces 1% of people to not try it then that is a good thing, right? John does not like it because of who is sending the message (I do not like who is sending the message either) but I am sure there are people that would listen to that guy more than they would listen to John SO why not let him say it without mocking him for it.

[@spiceyhotpot]

Especially when the person delivering the message, has less maturity than the receiving audience.

[@alinaitzal1173]

@@claytoncourtney1309 BECAUSE, you don't REWARD powerful men for INANE gestures. That would be dumb. But you go ahead and gob that nob.

[@JoshuaEBSmith]

I live in Vienna, WV. I fundraise here to support local charities. I know every person in that video, and I have been in that council chamber speaking before those very people. One of the people in this video is running for the mayor's job. I seriously cannot express how surreal this segment is, and I want to further add that you need to ask us about our new amphitheater that the mayor wants to place right next to a toxic waste site.

[@JoshuaEBSmith]

As a further note, Vienna, WV is right next to one of the cities with one of the largest (if not the largest, it varies) OD rates in the state - Parkersburg, WV. While food pantries in Parkersburg are struggling to stock toilet paper, we're... not running a budget that seems to function.

[@darthJ9]

John pulling out that cig from his cuff that smooth was just PURE SHOWMANSHIP 😂😂😂😂

[@TheLonelyCamgirl]

Yes! and I love how it's currently the most re-played part of the video according to youtube XD XD

[@kuriosites]

As an ICU nurse, I've had to waste unused fentanyl many times and I have never OD'd from being in the same room with it. Maybe nurses are just orders of magnitude tougher than cops 🤔.

[@aegisxor]

you absolutely are. 100%.

[@franktartan6808]

Rn also. I have no idea what used fentanyl is but the stuff we give is liquid and the drug addicts get this powdered stuff that can get airborne. It gets breathed in. I went to a lecture….

[@Kinthral]

​@@franktartan6808 Quality AI @franktartan6808 49 minutes ago Anyone here have chronic severe pain? Do you need opioids to be able to get out of bed and live? Yeah me too! But we get treated like criminals because of all the fucking scumbag addicts!! I want to know how drug companies and pharmacies make people abuse drugs. Maybe they do. I do know that many thousands of people need pain meds and take them as directed. But we are treated as criminals because of the criminals! Maybe John, you can talk about that too. I know humans are delicate and need adult supervision but why punish us responsible pain sufferers? Amazing how no one accepts responsibility for their actions and always blame others!

[@IdislikeTechnology]

You cant, being in a room with it or touching powder. It only passes the blood barrier when in patch form; as a nurse im surprized you arnt aware of the science behind it (might be worth a gander). In a mental way, nurses are tougher, in that you realize the implications of inherent bias and stereotypes. The fearmongering is what has created misinformation like "fetanyl travels thru air or touch" (in powder form).

[@IdislikeTechnology]

​@@franktartan6808that lecture lied. It's not enough in to get you in that way. Lectures can also spread false stereotypes. Stick to doing hard science research and taking everything any one person says with a grain of salt; nobody is 100 percent factual in what they say.

[@user-zr2bh4sp8w]

When Florida introduced the lottery in the 1990’s to fund education, they reduced the funding being allotted to education by the exact amount of money the lottery raised. So while technically they never lied about the money going towards education, it did create a way for the politicians to move the money elsewhere. Nobody has yet to address that. So I understand how that can be frustrating

[@edwardroche2480]

And the money the state got from the lottery in Florida did not lower people's property taxes for education. They charged the same as they did before the lottery. Republicans want your money just as much as the Democrats do. With the Democrats will spend it on you

[@MrJimheeren]

Sounds about Florida

[@Sniperboy5551]

That’s how the budget works everywhere. It’s just politics, honestly.

[@snehashispanda4808]

I am an atheist. I don't believe in the existence of God. There is insufficient evidence or rational justification to support the belief in any gods or supernatural entities. I rely on reason, logic, and empirical evidence to form my worldview and do not find compelling evidence or arguments to support the existence of god.

[@bonniebrush94]

​. And John did a segment on that also.

[@seanphelan7581]

Im a counselor at a treatment facility and im so happy that somebody is covering this.

[@CoyoteGoCrazy]

I’m a paramedic. Describing the opioid epidemic as a “crisis” would be a huge understatement. It’s a catastrophic event. I live in the south and it’s become worse than crack, worse than meth, worse than everything. Nearly every overdose call I work is either fentanyl, or something laced with fentanyl, often unbeknownst to the user. My service is running more overdose calls than we’ve run in a while. We’re watching people’s lives and families being destroyed by this drug. And rehab facilities in our area are running out of resources and don’t have nearly enough funding handle the amount of people needing help. Some are having to rely on community funding to keep their doors open. Hospitals are having to send patients 2+ hours away for help because facilities here just can’t take them. This money is needed now more than ever.

[@undrwatropium3724]

When people don't have healthcare they turn to street drugs. What other choice do they have?

[@bobopa5624]

I can't imagine what you are seeing on a daily basis. Thank you for what you do. Take care of your mind and body, this is really intense stuff. One of my dear friends died recently. Paramedics came in, saw his street xanax, and correctly guessed what the toxicology report would prove months later-- the pills were laced with a lethal dose of fentanyl. They said they are seeing more and more of this. He was 31.

[@CoyoteGoCrazy]

@@bobopa5624 it’s truly my honor to do what I do. I’m so very sorry for your loss, I’m hoping that with more coverage and people talking about what’s happening, maybe things can change for the better ❤️

[@phillipwombacher9635]

I’m a nurse who works at a non profit drug and alcohol detox and treatment facility we just applied for our grant and we are so happy you are covering this! This is going to be a battle to get these resources into the right institutions!

[@KristelViljoen]

Shoutout to all the medical staff. Thank you for all your selfless hard work and dedication.

[@tinaferr]

Thank you for your service!

[@ChristopherAndersonPirate]

It is too bad I couldn’t get any of that settlement money despite being addicted to these opioids for nearly two decades now. Maybe someone will benefit from it, it won’t be me.

[@djdudditts5062]

I’m almost 50, I don’t want to go to a rehab. I want to pay off my mother’s house, help my daughter get through college, fix my car . Not have to see doctors that I believe started all this. But I’ll probably have to prove Oxy=cotton Was in my bloodstream in the !990s.

[@MainelyMandy]

Thank you for what you do!

[@torid9837]

With them uploading their whole backlog recently, I almost thought this was an older episode. But then I noticed John's hair, and realized it's recent 😂

[@tarabitrp]

😂😂

[@benjn]

yeah, the hair.. it is the indicator

[@heidinolen873]

Rude...accurate...but rude.

[@swidel12]

I thought this was an older episode because the YT algorithm likes to feed other stuff to me. The giveaway for me that this was more recent was the background. Then I saw the reference to a story from March 11 of this year and went "hold up"...

[@jii.]

There's been little change in most of the depressing topics covered, so we can only rely on his hair to guide us through these deja-vu episodes.

[@carlyprice4101]

Oklahoma used the Big Tobacco settlement money for women's health care and it saved my life. For the first time in my life, I truly was receiving decent health care.

[@renettejones9811]

I'm Cameroonian, leaving in Cameroon. I'm not understanding English but every week I come to check you podcast. And I really appreciate the way you are talking

[@HyperfixationStation]

your english is pretty good!

[@NosyHausfrau]

I want the entire world to know: John Oliver's charity paid off my medical bills. I'll never be done saying that, just as I'll never be done giving back. "And so shines a good deed in a weary world." Shakespeare said that, but I like to credit Willy Wonka.

[@subparnaturedocumentary]

glad to hear your thriving!

[@jeffdroog]

And I want everyone to know this is a bot lol

[@cocobutter3175]

Oh my god. I got a letter not that long ago, telling me my medical debt I've had forever, had been paid off. I've been a Type 1 diabetic since I was 12, so I had a lot of medical debt from being in and out of the hospital over the years before I managed to get insurance after losing my parent's insurance. I kinda thought back to Oliver paying off medical debt when I got the letter, but I didn't know RIP Medical Debt was the name of the charity involved until I just saw your comment and looked it up. I had kept the letter, because I was so thankful, and I just looked at it. Sure enough, it's RIP Medical Debt. Dang, thanks John Oliver. I've been watching this man for years, already appreciating the things he does.

[@lynnhettrick7588]

Mine seemed to have been forgiven too. I'll have to check to see if it was RIP Medical Debt.

[@jadawson1]

Don't forget these things are a double edge sword and I know of patients with chronic conditions and cancer being denied medications that help them make it through the day becuase the "risk of abuse". Most of these kinds of bandwagons throw somebody under the bus. These aren't cigarettes. Suing companies and making these medications less acceptable is the same logic he made fun of Trump for. Now it worked and he cartels filled the gap with laced fentenyl.

[@seanmcdonald4686]

My brother in law died on Sunday, of a Fentanyl overdose from counterfeit Ritalin. He used to get Ritalin from the pharmacy but started buying it on the street when he lost his health insurance. His daughter, my niece, is less than a year old. It was Mother’s Day on Sunday. He wasn’t the first of my friends or my family. I hope to god that he’s the last, but I doubt it.

[@JustinPogue]

I'm so sorry for you and your family's loss. F**king health insurance, dammit, what an enraging way to lose a loved one.

[@briannoel7398]

All this death and suffering, and justice is never delivered. How many people have to die before someone goes to prison? I'm so sorry for your loss.

[@nothanks9503]

Yeah this is the actual “opiate crisis” our bs brain dead healthcare scam industry

[@WSKRBSCT]

​@@JustinPogueThere is Medicaid, Medicare, Health Insurance Marketplace, where you can get subsidized insurance based on your income. Hell, there are even things like GoodRx. But, yeah, fvcking health insurers. 😏

[@LyonsM]

My condolences.

[@VideoSaySo]

People in chronic pain are STILL getting screwed by this. Nobody wants to take us into consideration at all.

[@marleyplumb4562]

Indeed.

[@ebenezerdzilan474]

John Oliver is one of the best investigative journalists. The show is way more than comedy. So informative and well produced. Excellent show 👏🏽👏🏽

[@gypsylee333]

Nuh uh he blatantly lies in nearly every episode I've watched. He said puberty blockers were well researched, safe and reversible. Lies that everyone knows are obviously lies if he did 3 minutes of research. He lied about why everyone hates Dylan Mulvaney which would also take only 3 minutes of reading comment sections.

[@ZERO_O7X]

​@@gypsylee333 According to the National Institute of Heath, the Mayo Cinic, Cedars Sinai, and 99% of all doctors, scientists and other healthcare experts "Puberty blockers are generally considered safe when used as prescribed by a pediatrician. They have been used safely FOR DECADES to treat children with precocious puberty and endometriosis, and professional societies support their use for gender dysphoria". Or in words you can understand "Nuh-uh, you're the liar". 😂

[@gypsylee333]

@@ZERO_O7X nope that's bull. Read the Cass Report or the WPATH files or literally any unbiased study or the Nordic countries repealing it because they're not profit driven

[@roxywyndham]

@@gypsylee333nothing is 100% safe and has side effects but in most cases they are safe and reversible. Female children that gets their period earlier than 10 can go on hormone to stop it until they are old enough. Periods are intense for adults much less little babies and some can get it at 6 or 7. You don’t understand the research and that’s ok.

[@gypsylee333]

@@roxywyndham I do understand the research I would bet money I've read more about it than you if you're still pushing the long debunked lie that PBs are safe or reversible. They are not approved even for this purpose and every Dr is prescribing them off label to children who do not have the capacity to understand the decision they are making. There's not ONE known case of a male being able to produce sperm EVER if they were given PBs at tanner stage 2 or younger. There's a study already shown that it permanently damages the cells in the testicles, and a different study that shows their IQ and grades dropped. There is zero reason why they can't wait until adulthood 18 plus when their brains are more fully formed. There is zero evidence that even shows an improvement mentally or anything for taking PBs and y'all have ZERO concern and are fine experimenting on these confused children.

[@christopherdelude9441]

I worked for city government department of health for almost two years. Unlike all other health and opioid-related grants and funds, it went to the City itself rather than our department. For 6-8 months we asked members of the opioid settlement group to have a seat at the table, because it was made up of the HR director, finance director, rep from the mayor's office, and a few others with no expertise in health or community outreach. Zero people with lived experience were contacted to be on the panel. Sitting at those meetings (eventually) and hearing all of the ideas that these unqualified people had for spending the money was absolutely ridiculous. I have no problem with people not having the answers, but at least have the humility to turn the reigns over to the people working in addiction and prevention spaces as the experts in this area.

[@DELLRS2012]

Seriously! People have no idea how unqualified local officials can be.

[@chocobabyflakes3215]

Thank U!!!! You have NO idea how important it was for me to read this comment today! I've had a similar experience going from "homeless convict" to the program manager of a county funded behavioral health program within 4 yrs. It was exhausting how little ppl are willing to do anything new or different when "the way it's always been done" has demonstrably failed time and time again. Yet in spite of countless workshops, trainings and presentations of evidence-based research & data, they refuse to challenge their own prejudices, biases, and classism to try on different perspectives and help people in the ways they've identified as most effective for themselves.

[@loschwahn723]

@@DELLRS2012 it is a scientific fact over centuries, that biochemical warfare can not be a crisis - does someone seen a cry sis ?

[@colorbugoriginals4457]

- no jail time - no fines that exceed the profits from their evil - no one can sue them again later.. ?!?! wtf is this absolute villains.

[@amberwilliams9950]

Yeah idk man this isnt right my community was ravaged by this all the popular documentaries on OxyContin are from my neck of the woods

[@MrBluejack45]

Truly living in a dystopian future

[@colorbugoriginals4457]

@@amberwilliams9950 I'm so sorry. It's heartbreaking to see your community hurt. I am repeatedly disappointed at how easily people write off anything to do with drug addiction as personal failure that is undeserving of help. But we're out here spreading awareness, spreading compassion, and volunteering. There is a force with you fighting for a better future ❤️

[@gertjanvandermeij4265]

OPIOIDS are AWESOME ! They are an big life saver ! *ABUSE is the problem !* Not the drug !

[@angelgjr1999]

Late stage capitalism

[@lisabari]

There must be someone on the writing/production staff who is passionate about health policy issues, because between this episode, the Medicaid unwinding episode, and the State Medical Boards episode, this season is doing incredibly important work! Thank you for helping bring awareness to these issues.

[@bartsteadman3120]

You need to follow up this episode with what the opioid regulations have effected people in pain. I have neuropathy and at night it feels like someone is driving nails into my toes. I was lucky enough to have a doctor who understands, but regulations limit how much I can have, and I have to get written prescriptions 3 months at a time. My wife had degenerative bone disease among other problems and they would only give a hydrocodone 5 once a day. She had holes in her stomach, almost killing her twice, from taking over the counter pain medication. I know other elderly people who don't get the pain medication they need, and have to jump through hoops to get any at all.

[@ngpb17]

I lost my best friend to drugs 18 years ago. It still bothers me. My retirement is kind of boring without him. He was the funniest person I ever met.

[@gertjanvandermeij4265]

OPIOIDS are AWESOME ! They are an big life saver ! *ABUSE is the problem !* Not the drug !

[@jamesf4423]

There’s almost nobody I know that has been spared by the opioid crisis. My family was hit pretty hard, I’m in recovery too. Nasty stuff.

[@chrismanuel9768]

My best friend lost his sister. My brother is in ICU right now. And those that profited aren't being held accountable. How much longer will this go on before we make them pay directly?

[@jpslaym0936]

Doesnt make someone whos lost a loved one feel better that corruption is stealing the settlement that should have gone to impacted families

[@koriw1701]

I understand you both. I was a detox nurse before I became disabled and in a wheelchair, *and* I just lost a very close aunt to fentanyl-laced oxycodone that her 'friend' gave her because my aunt loaned her some because her friend 'ran out.' My aunt took the pills her friend 'gave back to replace the ones she was loaned' and she overdosed and died. My aunt had been on oxy for _years_ but the fentanyl tipped her over the edge. So I have seen both sides of this crisis and it hurts to know that people are dying and the governments may care but they don't know how to respond to this crisis

[@dem4christ04]

Proud to say that I know Trish Perry personally. She is a great person and warrior advocating for Newark and Licking County's homeless and those suffering from mental illness and drug addiction. Love her!

[@elif6908]

Send my best wishes to her across the world! We need more people like her in every town across the world.

[@dotonthehorizon9620]

Why would she want people to be licking homeless people? Seems unhygienic

[@dem4christ04]

@@dotonthehorizon9620 Hardee har har

[@dem4christ04]

@elif6908 I absolutely agree and will do! :)

[@4RILDIGITAL]

The misuse of opioid settlement funds as you've explained is indeed troubling. It's crucial that these funds be channeled into supporting proven tools for addiction prevention, harm reduction, treatment and recovery, rather than squandering on unnecessary resources. It's time to prompt accountable and transparent practices from our local governments.

[@speedrunner9907]

troubling? this is going to cause the most anti-Semitism you’ve ever seen in your entire entire life and there will be pogroms over this. guaranteed.

[@DgurlSunshine]

DEA DOPE FUNNEL

[@PhurPher]

I want to say that John Oliver is misinformed, carfentanyl absolutely has OD'd officers from merely breathing it in, though not traditional fentanyl. Additionally, while policing addicts/users isn't effective, taking down sellers/manufacturers/traffickers is. It's highly effective One single bust could easily save hundreds if not thousands of lives since they often time carry incredible amounts on them at one time. I know it doesn't back up peoples "cop bad" narrative, but this is a serious epidemic, people need to get their shit straight. Also it pisses me off that the VERY FIRST thing places aren't spending their money on is Suboxone/buprenorphine treatment facilities. That stuff is insanely effective at getting people off fentanyl and it literally makes them immune from getting high from heroin/fentanyl while they're on it.

[@la7era1u54]

As someone who was the victim of these evil companies, the only thing I really want would be free healthcare to cover the cost that take up a large part of my monthly expenses. I pay over $500 a month for ongoing treatment, and I have been for almost 2 decades now

[@Cosette336]

Legitimate chronic pain patients have been demonized and treated like garbage. Between the monthly visits required, being treated like an addict getting drug tested all the time, and having pharmacies refuse or delay filling our prescriptions, things keep getting worse for us. And punishing us has done nothing to help with addiction. If anything the patients who are cut off will probably turn to unsafe drugs on the street.

[@vicentegarcia6078]

It's almost like thats what they want. I'm a veteran I got legit spine issues and the best I get is have you tried yoga. They wonder why there is so many suicides or veterans becoming homeless. Give me my damn pills and micro manage me all you want, idc. I'm just tired of being in pain every waking moment. But nah, either suffer or go to the black market and probably OD on some counterfeit painkillers laced with fentanyl. Way to go VA and really any Healthcare facility. Them pain management places are scams too I've had the injections. I've done the PT amd still I get told no on pills, but somehow the actual drug addicts still manage to get them prescribed. Make that make sense.

[@Cosette336]

@@vicentegarcia6078 exactly. I’m lucky enough to even get prescribed a small dose. I’m sorry you have to go through that. Doctors don’t seem to care how much your quality of life suffers with no medication. God forbid they treat us with any dignity. And yes it does all seem intentional. They don’t care if we die.

[@sonicstreamers5298]

@@vicentegarcia6078 ---- it is what "they" want: The DEA and State Medical boards are on the receiving end of "ill-gotten gains". The drug companies are also complicit in raking in the dough by trading in the Gazillion dollar Black market. And doctors who are still giving Rx for pain meds are threatened with loss of med license or even accused of being criminals for giving people with serious chronic pain any "opioid" medication. Welcome to the new world of Pain forever. Our "doctor" finked out and turned coward and suddenly withdrew Rx for hydro and since were not celebrities we will never get any more pain relief from the "Health Industry".

[@Anthony-ky7nd]

But now you can be comforted by knowing some police departments are getting new SUVs

[@crptnite]

"Something that's so boring, it's genuinely kind of hot" is the perfect bio for my social media pages...

[@Heathcoatman]

Humble brags are hot

[@crptnite]

@@Heathcoatman I had a friend named Chris Heathcoat who I've learned succumbed to suicide. I Pray for his family. Thank you for your comment and for reminding me of him 💜🙏🏽🕊️

[@keyput415]

You should talk about how this opioid crisis has made being a chronic pain patient a living hell. The stigma alone has been devastating. Doctors won't treat us, doctors lower our dose to ineffective doses requiring us to get on disability because we can't work in constant pain, the list goes on and on and on. It's terrible...so terrible.

[@grimora5713]

Same! I completely agree! They make you question your sanity, like, I think I'm in this much pain... they have done the tests and scans and can see the cause of the pain... but why doesn't my doc believe me?

[@thepolarphantasm2319]

Yeah straight up, I've got a couple friends who've gone through literal hell with chronic pain over the decades I've known them... one offed himself, one is in a halfway house after his sixth rehab and another one is (far as I've managed to figure out anyway) a junkie now Health care in this country blows no matter who you are but if you're a person with chronic back pain or something you're screwed to the max

[@user-wk4ee4bf8g]

Grow your own poppies and make tea

[@1ntwndrboy198]

Or push for real health care 😮

[@user-wk4ee4bf8g]

Seriously, that poppy is pretty and easy to grow. That's my plan for when I get super old and hurt all the time, poppy tea. My friend said it feels like all the other opiates he tried during his addiction phase at various times through the experience of the tea. Harder to dose exactly, but then you know what is actually in your pain product, no trust needed. We gotta take our mouths off the government titty and do more stuff for ourselves.

[@leyrua]

I have to admit, the graphic of a single wad of bills flopping down onto the floor was brilliant.

[@crystaldazz]

My father is addicted to opiods. That addiction is probably going to kill him. I hope something positive happens here that can help him before it's too late.

[@AlexPoutineVids]

I'm not from the States but I watch videos like this, because, despite my best efforts, I am really rooting for you folks to sort your shit out.

[@kmcq692]

America keeps trying to see itself.

[@stoppit9]

Our problems are almost always found elsewhere too

[@AlexPoutineVids]

@@stoppit9 I've lived in over 10 countries...nah.

[@beetlebob4675]

​@@stoppit9 As "the best country on earth", as so many people love to claim, we should be able to take care of it so much more humanely and more efficiently than we currently are.

[@JustinPogue]

Thanks friend, we need the support!

[@SoberOKMoments]

For more than 50 years the AMA has recognized addiction as an illness and yet society treats its alcoholics and addicts like "bad" people and not like the sick people they truly are. Recovery places get shut down or short funded, addicts by the thousands are locked in jails-for-profit cells, and people like the good woman represented here doing her best to physically help people, but not having access to the funds won in the courts for that very purpose. Thank you, John Oliver, for all the work you and your excellent team of reporters do to make people aware of this - and other situations like it. I don't know how much good it will do - or does - but I'm sure God loves you for continually trying. I know I do.

[@Chrisko1492]

Except that no one is getting born with a drug addiction. Meanwhile many mental illnesses are inherited. Anyone who takes drugs for the first time knows what they are getting into. It‘s their responsibility if they are getting addicted. Nobody forced them to take drugs. Everyone knows drugs are addictive. No sympathy for junkies.

[@subparnaturedocumentary]

it's that annoying but all too common mentality where addicts are criminals and the only way to stop it is never using and punishing those who do society needs to fully eliminate this mindset in order for true recovery to be embraced as a nation, but they profit so much off that fear also

[@etuanno]

​@@subparnaturedocumentaryAbsolutely. Here in Switzerland we had an heroine crisis in the 90s. What did we do? We provided clean needles, opened clinics for the addicted, gave clean heroine for the people who just didn't manage to get clean with methadone or via other means. Now these people with state dispensed heroine can have a job. We made safe consumption spaces and placed where you could check your drugs for free. Now people are still consuming heroine, but it's not a publicly percieved issue anymore because they get the help they need and deserve. Heroine itself isn't that harmful, it's the pollutants that kill people!

[@cruisinguy6024]

It may be categorized as an illness, and indeed one that alters one’s brain chemistry, but the hangup that many people have is its *self inflicted.” Yes I know early on Purdue was doing their best to get doctors to over prescribe so I have more compassion for those victims, but that’s not the case for your average person either an addiction. People chose to experiment with meth, or crack, or whatever. It’s no secret what those drugs do to a person yet people still use them.

[@fredm.2699]

What exactly isn’t an Illness? People can go to the moon but cant do the hard work of not abusing? Of course it affects your brain. Of course its hard to stop abusing…what exactly is easy in life?

[@mattlocascio4949]

There is very little bad that this show provides, I am thankful for hbo for doing this. All episodes are heartwarming and real news. They deserve a Nobel prize

[@BunnyTheCat]

Dude our local butcher (who’s awesome and gives us extra meat for our kitty she likes hearts) cut his finger off 4 days ago!! He was back at work yesterday and husband saw him cradling his poor hand, the guy refuses to take ANY medication for it because he’s scared of getting addicted omg thank you for covering this I hope he knows he could take one until his finger heals and then wean off but it’s his choice!! Good luck butcher guy we appreciate you 😅🥲✌️ thanks for covering this!!! I love you John Oliver hope you’re having a good weekend soon 🥰💃🏻

[@MichaelSeraph_]

My reaction to new Last Week Tonight segments has gone from "the best thing on Monday!" to "oh god is it thursday already"

[@jii.]

Or both. Both is good.

[@spiceyhotpot]

Yes, not sure why the change but I am loving it, plus the archive of shows now available.

[@qwertpoo1]

This is so accurate kzbin.info/www/bejne/a6rWhaOGisx9pq8si=Rso14Otxxauy6mTL

[@tomlxyz]

I genuinely thought it's Wednesday today until I read that comment

[@DanArnets1492]

​@@spiceyhotpot - Enticing FOMO-driven idiots to pay for "Max" or HBO as a channel

[@kddicks5115]

Recovering addict here, methadone treatment. Medically assisted treatment saved my life, my husband’s life and my daughter’s life. These programs REALLY REALLY work! My daughter is 8 years and I’m 6. My husband had two years before he passed in 2020. If we’d have started treatment sooner, his body may have had time to recover. I’m thankful EVERYDAY for treatment.

[@BrokenMedic]

And yet as a chronic pain patient I have been made a villain and now the DEA has reduced the amount available so now we have to pray when we can refill that the pharmacy will have them in the very short refill window of 3 days or less. I have been forced to withdraw because of Christmas and the weekend and small supply. I can get partial fill but then my doctor would have to write a new one for the rest and jump through with the hoops insurance. It’s a nightmare, where’s my settlement for treating me like I’m the one to blame. I have been forced to wean because the dose I was on was dangerous, even though I was stable and on it for years without any issues. I was 100% tolerant to the dose and could have even take double without any issues. All because one memo said a person should not be on any more than 90mg of morphine a day. Many people took their lives when they were forced down.

[@stregalilith]

Those mandatory maximums have been made illegal in Colorado since 2023 because of the harm it did

[@emilyviehland3544]

Here in Allegheny County PA, one of our county council members is a former opioid addict, having gotten onto them in high school after a sports injury. We have huge billboards up advertising free fentanyl test strips. I am so thankful that she has been in place when this money started coming in!

[@marielsea2292]

John can you PLEASE do a Video on how this "Opioid Crisis" is affecting those with chronic pain and other illness ability to get the medication they NEED! Not enough people talk about that.

[@probusthrax]

If I could upvote your comment a 100 times, I would!

[@brendasmart553]

Yes it is sooooo needed! Also how some places force us into so called pain MGMT clinic shots that are completely experimental, you have to sign waiver to protect doctors from liability, they either don't work, make you worse, at best don't last, are temporary & partial relief if they help at all, and doctors get paid some $3G for ten to 15 minutes at a pop!??!

[@Cosette336]

Exactly. I can’t even get my prescriptions filled at big chain pharmacies anymore

[@speedrunner9907]

no.

[@cosmic_latte3963]

Absolutely seconded - there’s enough material for a series about controlled substance prescription drug shortages generally!

[@Matchgirl42]

And once again, those of us with chronic pain issues who depend on opioids to have even somewhat of a normal life and are now treated like criminals when we ask for them, and those like us who have taken their own lives once those opioids were taken away, or died from OD'ing on street drugs when their prescription pain meds were cut off, are completely ignored.

[@Queina1]

I hear this. I used to have severe pain before I finally got my hysterectomy. And opioids were the only thing that even touched that pain, but it was a nightmare getting some. So I learned to hoard the pills and only use them when the pain was so bad I'd pass out. I could make a bottle of 20 pills last a whole year. Which really pissed me off when I tried to explain that to an ER doctor when I needed more and he'd look at me like I was the biggest liar on the planet, and only prescribe me 5.

[@joshuahubbard7300]

Right there with ya, I am a cancer patient and recently diagnosed with MS and my wife has crippling RA. We live in TN and thanks to state laws it is next to impossible to get pain relief. I get there is a huge problem and ppl are dying because of them but guess what, ppl are dying because they cant get them as well. But I guess its ok to just toast my liver with tylenol and alcohol to get the pain to subside right? Opioids are a risk, and ppl will abuse them but there is a huge population who actually need them to lead semi normal lives. There are 2 sides to every coin.

[@josephinethornton3823]

Same here. I have to take less than I am allowed just to make sure I won't go into withdrawal every time the docs mess it up, the pharmacy doesn't have it, my insurance insurance on prior authorization for meds I've been on for TWO DECADES with an incurable degenerative condition. The amount I'm allotted doesn't come close to "killing" my pain. Bit of a misnomer there, unless you've got an issue that's fixable with said opioids. Mine just takes the edge off and that's it. I can take a smile and eat food without vomiting. Last time I ended up in the ER (A&E for those of you in other countries) and they injected me with a shitload of morphine because I was helplessly vomiting and couldn't keep the meds down. . . Due to the pain I was in. . . So going to a place that could inject it into me was the only option. I couldn't even communicate. Anything. So they inject me with morphine and did I feel better? Did I feel amazing? Nope. I was simply able to open my eyes and speak. I looked at the doctors and said, "Oh, hi. I can see you now. Um. Hello." Which is to say, they could see me but I couldn't look at them or communicate until then so I just wanted to try to be polite. My neck was still horrifically spasming and I told them I was hopeful that they could get me into an MRI or something to see what the hell was causing the problem but they said I would need to set up an appointment with a specialist. "But they won't know what's happening because it only happens a few times a year and it's happening RIGHT NOW, so can you maybe just feel my neck and palpate the muscles to see if you can get an idea of what's happening?" What is a specialist going to test me for? A mystery that isn't currently happening? I'm here right now. No? Well. I guess I'll go home with no answers but at least I'm not helplessly vomiting from the pain. Uh. Ok. This has been a problem for 17 years. I've seen specialists. So. Ok. Bye. I just hobbled back out the door. Yesterday I saw my pain management specialist who felt my hip that's been been making me wake up screaming, literally screaming. She had no answers but thanked me for not vomiting on her. My point is: Knowing doctors are just throwing opioids at people that don't need them blows my mind. They create drug addicts and death. And those of us that live in bodies that are 24/7 torture devices are judged and scrutinized for needing steady amounts with high oversight. It's beyond perplexing. Who are these doctors and WHY ARE THEY DOING THAT?!

[@kaseythekdd5982]

Where are doctors throwing meds at just anyone (other than the White House apparently, look that story up. Talk about hypocrisy.) MS here and barely get any help. The “opioid crisis” is now ILLICIT. People with genuine prescriptions aren’t the problem. Doctors are no longer just handing them to all. The crisis is now on the street, and a whole new crisis has been created in the chronic pain community. Suicides are way up with our vets and those with chronic illnesses. The govt, as usual, with its overcorrection has caused this problem and just don’t care to fix it.

[@TheGrobe]

Yeah, why are these settlements going to governments and not the people that were harmed?

[@stannieholt8766]

At 3:08, LWT’s raison d’etre: “Something so boring, it’s genuinely kind of hot.” As someone who used to report for a small-town newspaper, on things that were certainly important, and usually boring, though *not quite* boring enough to be hot, this is why I respect John Oliver and “Last Week Tonight.” It helps public-interest investigative journalism reach a wider audience because it’s genuinely entertaining.

[@lesaha4181]

In contrast to the United States I really find it difficult to be disappointed in my country, speaking as a European. I know this ain't about winning the best country of the world title...but it sure feels like winning to me. Seriously folks, your country is letting you down immensely and I can't even fathom the state of desperation you guys must find yourself in. And I don't see how this could be turned around anytime soon. Not being cynical at all: I feel for you. For everyone suffering from United States politics, health-care/ Policing/ black-life/ housing/ abortion-rights/ cult-like-2-party-politics/ inequality over all....This is devastating.

[@nrgltwrkr2225]

This episode should be shown to every town and city council, and anyone else making decisions on where their local funds go.

[@jayrobbinstacks4574]

Why, they already know about all this

[@LucasTheOnion]

It would probably do the same as kids seeing videos or talking with previous drug addicts or policemen about how they should never do drugs. Maybe it will make a person or two change their mind, most already have it made up, and/or will forget about this video as soon as possible.

[@nrgltwrkr2225]

@@LucasTheOnion Point taken. But ya never know...I am hopefully "skeptimistic" that if you scatter the seeds of knowledge, at least a couple will sprout and grow. 🤞😄

[@nrgltwrkr2225]

@@jayrobbinstacks4574 As John clearly demonstrated in the video, a lot them do not know how to appropriately use the funds. Yes, some are willfully ignorant, but many are just plain ignorant.

[@swidel12]

Welcome back to "Corporate Greed Tonight with John Oliver"!

[@ravenstalons154]

"A Week and a Half Ago, This Morning, Because Corporate Execs Grovel To Investors, and Think Pushing This Out Further Will Drive More Max Subscribers" This could also work, yeah?

[@lordbertox4056]

The system isn't broken, it's just working as intended

[@swidel12]

@@ravenstalons154 At least they're planning to expand the YT backlog to include a new season every time there's an off week. That's not a Max thing, that's an LWT thing

[@d1boundkj]

W

[@qwertpoo1]

kzbin.info/www/bejne/a6rWhaOGisx9pq8si=Rso14Otxxauy6mTL

[@robertmurphy6772]

One thing ignored is that people with genuine extreme pain are now offered Ibuprofen. I went to the ER with four freshly broken, dislocated ribs and was refused oxycodone. I was handed a stack of paperwork detailing the hazards of opiod addiction and was kicked out to the lobby, where I rolled in agonizing pain. I caught a cab back to my apartment. I called an ambulance the next day, for I was lying in bed, stifling three or four screams an hour. They finally admitted me, not for the broken ribs but for an infection in my little toe. After years of going on Sackler all-expenses paid vacations - excuse me, traveling to "pain management conferences- in Maui, the little whores have now discovered 'responsibility.'

[@darkesinger3102]

I guess I was lucky to break my collarbone too recently and needed surgery when I also broke 2 ribs in a car accident, they gave me 10 days of painkillers. Broken ribs really are excruciatingly painful, I'm sorry they didn't help you like they should've.

[@mrwinr2u1]

Thank you and your team for the service you provide!

[@bluerationality]

The level of ineptitude and corruption is depressing. Thank you for shining light in this dark hole

[@emilygibbons9475]

I feel like Oregon deserves a shout out. 30% of the settlement is going to the 9 native tribes. And the majority of the rest is being used for naloxone and other life-saving supplies and to establish a state system for interpreting data regarding the availability and efficacy of prevention, treatment, and recovery services in the state.

[@koboldcatgirl]

Ooh, as an Oregonian, that's great to hear!

[@momain5483]

Thanks so much for sharing! Gives me an idea of what I can bother my state gov to start doing.

[@mrp4242]

I work in health care and I work in Oregon. There are hordes of addicts in Oregon.

[@emilygibbons9475]

@@mrp4242 yes, al the more reason to provide them with life-saving resources.

[@user-mx5ee7hk6u]

GOD BLESS YOU JOHN OLIVER!!!!!!!! RIGHT BETWEEN THE EYES. TRUTH. . .

[@Primo_extracts]

So great you put a spotlight on this topic💯👍

[@paintproduct2332]

It’s similar to my town, they managed to raise over 200,000 but to build a giant cross. It didn’t go to better the town, it didn’t go to help people, and it didn’t do any outreach.

[@qwertpoo1]

kzbin.info/www/bejne/a6rWhaOGisx9pq8si=Rso14Otxxauy6mTL who cares

[@piscinaiv7937]

but it made Jesus happy!

[@GrandmaCathy]

Brilliant.🙄

[@smilessmiles7906]

They did something like that here. The cross looks like shit.

[@DontReadMyProfilePicture566]

Don't read my name!

[@max410bery]

Nothing will bring back my best friend. Nothing will make up for the fact his life stopped at 26. I miss him everyday.

[@gertjanvandermeij4265]

OPIOIDS are AWESOME ! They are an big life saver ! *ABUSE is the problem !* Not the drug !

[@marciaguy10899]

Thank you for continuing to cover this!

[@dialNforNinja]

Thumbs up for that toilet fanfare & confetti pop animation

[@yeahokay1051]

I don't understand why companies can be fined billions and not have a single member jailed. Makes no sense to me at all.

[@nealfischer623]

They weren't fined. They voluntarily agreed to pay money to make the lawsuits go away.

[@jveebklyn1644]

Big pharma has seen the error of their ways. They no longer need to push addictive meds and understate the risk whole being subject to legal liability. Much better business model to develop vaccines that the government can mandate without any of that pesky product liability.

[@AlwaysBolttheBird]

because there wasn't a trial. no one or company was found guilty. the agreed to py the fine instead of going to trial. that's why

[@christopherbohanan4453]

The above answers are good but not the real truth… No one goes to jail because this is America and corporations can’t go to jail because they aren’t people… except for when it benefits them to be people, like when they want to spend money on campaigns and politicians and such… basically billionaires can do what they want without meaningful repercussions in america

[@zed739]

Because the specific point of a corporation is to create an imaginary entity that is legally responsible for individual people's decisions. That's literally the reason they exist.

[@katyk829]

Just a reminder that if you live in a decent-sized city, there is probably an organization dedicated to overdose prevention. That may be in the form of education programs, handing out narcan and test strips, or a needle exchange. Many of these organizations will do trainings for people. You should definitely look into your local organizations and see if you can volunteer, donate, or even hire them to do a training at your workplace!

[@gregorycarver9256]

Retired prevention coordinator in Connecticut is worried about where this money will land. Attach measurements to the spending, before and after.

[@chriscripplercruz1833]

When you showed the toilet I really thought you were going to show Trump talking about how people are flushing the toilet way too many times lol

[@Ari-jj9op]

John, as a caregiver for a quadriplegic, I can't tell you what all this has done to legitimate users, even those who are forced now to use 'pain clinics' run by the hospitals. These things are meant to protect the doctors, NOT help pain patients. The genuine patients are suffering and being manhandled by this new doctor protection racket. Now they are trying to get them onto suboxone, expensive and dangerous and it literally rots out patient's teeth. It's insane.

[@Wellwhatdoyouknow]

Yes! We need to stop conflating recreational drug abuse with necessary pain relief. Treating patients like addicts and addicts like second class citizens is doing more harm than good!!

[@nothanks9503]

@@Wellwhatdoyouknowthere’s nothing wrong with recreational drug use it has health benefits and every single mammal on earth does it it’s probably unhealthy to not do drugs recreationally

[@WSKRBSCT]

​@@nothanks9503 You are arguing something he didn't say. He said recreational drug ABUSE. There is a difference.

[@DELLRS2012]

FDA needs more accountability here, not individual doctors. Doctors have become such a societal scapegoat. I’m sorry you are suffering

[@Wellwhatdoyouknow]

@@nothanks9503 That's why I said "ABUSE".

[@jenniferburns2530]

I live in Kenosha County, Wisconsin and was appalled by our County Board's decision to buy this gadget, but not surprised. We have a sheriff and several county board members who believe that all drug users are criminals and that locking them up is the way to deal with substance abuse. These same folks would be happy to give the sheriff's department everything they ask for with no oversight.

[@roberthamilton1118]

100% this as someone too who was born and raised in K-town

[@Molson-xg9hs]

Used to work for the newspaper in Kenosha and watched as any request for spending from a law enforcement agency was given carte blanche, meanwhile the years-long quest of a father who watched his son get shot and killed by the police in his front yard asking for better, fairer measures for oversight and review in law enforcement shooting cases get routinely ignored. But free pass for you, Kyle Rittenhouse!

[@bluerationality]

They got the money from the blood of victims and are using it for stupid things while looking down on those victims. 😢

[@wolftitanreading5308]

Far better then just giving drug addicts money to do what they want with it

[@stregalilith]

@@wolftitanreading5308WTF are you talking about?

[@meredithleber7787]

Bravo. This is 💯. As a WV born, peer support specialist, I have seen some shit. John will save a life with this information. Harm Reduction ❤ is Healthcare. This is the way.

[@TitularHeroine]

With that dramatic-ass music in the Bola-Wrap™ commercial, I expected Batman to show up. Now we know where he gets all those wonderful toys.

[@lauren8135]

I’m sorry the cops ODing from opening that bag of drugs is the dumbest thing I’ve ever heard. I’m a nurse and legally administer opiates all the time under doctors orders in a hospital setting for severe acute or chronic pain. We often crush them to administer to patients who can’t swallow whole pills because of choking risk but can take them crushed in some applesauce or pudding. And unless you are literally snorting them or directly pointing a blow dryer at a bag and sticking your face in it, you aren’t at risk of inhaling them and certainly not enough to cause you to pass out or OD. This is ridiculous. If you want to help people who use substances. HELP THEM. like that lady with the program who gave out testing strips and clothing was doing.

[@michellemarty7510]

Using HBO's money to sing insult Bob Murray was one of the best uses of money ever.

[@benzaiten933]

what about that giant cake of a dictator falling off his horse or Japanese mascots?

[@simplymisc]

I loved their use of loose, figurative language that could not reasonably be understood to convey facts! Money well-spent for sure!

[@MikeGogna]

Once again, John Oliver nails it.

[@aprilmae274]

I am so impressed with this story. John Oliver-King of Press!

[@laurawillits176]

John's bit of prestidigitation was lovely. I had to watch it several times to figure out the cig was in his sleeve, then in his right hand, and not in his jacket pocket. Perfect misdirection!

[@somefella6989]

Timestamp?

[@laurawillits176]

@@somefella6989 yes 6:28. Well worth a look!

[@laurawillits176]

@@somefella6989 6:28

[@blondy2061h]

I wish more people would talk about how now pain goes untreated which is leading people to turn to self medicating. We’ve swung so far the other way that people with cancer and in the day following major surgery aren’t even being given opiates which is making people desperate. We need balance.

[@pawpkitty]

Exactly. Some people really need this treatment and there needs to be better guidelines.

[@Monaster01]

I have the opposite problem. Every time I've had surgery my doctor keeps prescribing me opiates. I keep trying to tell them that I can't take opiates because they make me hallucinate, but no one ever listens. I always end up taking my pills to the police station and use Tylenol or Advil instead.

[@milede]

​@Monaster01 You're lucky you have the option still!

[@nothanks9503]

@@pawpkittyanyone who feels they need pain meds should get as much of whatever pain med they want with medical guidance

[@DaveHurka]

@@Monaster01 Then why fill the RX if you don't plan on taking it?

[@bellmattwebb]

I love living in Colorado. Proud of my state, most of the time.

[@MikeStrongman]

I live in South Carolina and I am proud to say that the state set up the "South Carolina Opioid Recovery Fund Board" which has a portal with detailed information and an appointed board to oversee the spending of the money. They have limited the funds to first responders to opioid related training or treatment. BUT, I had no idea to even look into what was going on until I was educated by this excellent piece. Zazu is serving facts again, as usual. Thank you!!

[@Rolow69]

The presence or absence of John's grey hair is the north star allowing my ADHD brain to keep up with Last Week Tonight's youtube continuity.

[@avvyrude7603]

It's very classically American for a city to receive money and immediately be like "We should give all this to the police to buy toys!"

[@wolftitanreading5308]

Better then giving it to drug addicts to waste on more drugs

[@gohbraztsova]

I fell into opioid abuse around 2016 as a foreign student in upstate NY, and I had no idea that my pills were being cut with fentanyl. I OD'd so many times, and ruined my life, and lost my scholarship. I eventually got on a detox program in the US, and got clean, but the only reason I'm still clean is because I left the country. Had I stayed, I'd be dead today.

[@-Subtle-]

Always remember, money easily replaces the loss of a loved one OR the destruction of your family. Sincerely, The oligarchs.

[@Lillyluri]

Especially if you don't even get any of it yourself.

[@DontReadMyProfilePicture566]

Don't read my name!

[@ChristopherAndersonPirate]

Except when you’re like me and have been heavily affected by this exact crisis but got no settlement or money from it. Thanks America and Lawyers!

[@ChristopherAndersonPirate]

@@Lillyluriyeah I won’t be getting any of it. Not sure who is benefitting here but not us former addicts who had our lives ruined

[@Richard_Nickerson]

Trump's plan was literally just an even worse version of DARE 🤦‍♂️

[@BashayG7175]

He's such an idiot

[@annbarbarag9152]

The cliff notes version of DARE, “no good, really bad for you”

[@jakob5290]

To be fair, a worse version of the beloved Gorillas song DARE might still be pretty good

[@crazyluigi6664]

And D.A.R.E. is back in action now...

[@DontReadMyProfilePicture566]

Don't read my name!

[@Playingwithproxies]

I love how they get 70million but they put change into 4 buckets great accurate depiction of the money flow 12:00

[@hadenough1]

They’re sitting on it until they figure out how to pilfer the coffers.

[@RayvenTheNight]

For alot of us, it's the withdrawal that's the problem. People want to stop but the withdrawal is so horrific that some would rather take their own life than go through that type of pain

[@MacAnters]

Can you describe what the withdrawal is like?

[@Eli_PC137]

@@MacAnters Withdrawal symptoms are physiological and psychological in nature so that makes it incredibly difficult to stop hard substances. Each substance has its own quirks and unique withdrawal symptoms but that's the gist of it.

[@Uhlbelk]

@@MacAnters Generally, just think of the opposite effect the drug causes and ramp it up x10

[@Alalias]

Methadone really works. (I don't know about Suboxone which appears to be replacing methadone.) The characteristic that makes methadone so effective is that you can measure dosage precisely and reduce that dosage by as much as 1mg (ml?) per day or whatever amount you're comfortable with that doesn't cause withdrawal symptoms. It really can make detox painless. It's a fucking miracle. And it also eliminates any excuse you may be telling yourself or those who care about you. It works. It is painless. For most people, it's even less of a hassle than being an addict. One thing that might be helpful to know is that there are two basic philosophies to methadone treatment: detox and maintenance. The goal of detox is exactly that: to get you off the street drug and then get you off the methadone as quickly as you can handle it. The goal of maintenance is to find a dosage at which you're comfortable and don't have any need or desire to use other opioid drugs...indefinitely. I strongly recommend the detox approach (but I'm not an expert or even well informed on the subject so ffs do your own research). Unfortunately almost every clinic in operation follows the maintenance philosophy. However, even maintenance oriented clinics will allow you to take the detox path if you're adamant about it and if you don't screw it up by relapsing too often when they let you go that route. Good luck!

[@brianching3565]

@@MacAnters It's like a very extreme case of the flu combined with a number of other unbearable symptoms combined with various psychological effects. Nausea so bad that your own mucus/swallowing your own spit makes you vomit, which is an endless process when you've got a runny nose. Restless legs (RLS), headache, lethargic, can't sleep. One of the hardest things is knowing that you can all make it go away with a snap of your fingers.

[@SumeriyaYaxlaka]

"The Big Pharma" was the WORST cyberpunk update in america smh

[@LoFiAxolotl]

Big Pharma can be done ethically... big pharma isn't even the problem... any other industry acts the exact same.. capitalism is the underlying problem that drives everything

[@BrklynBread]

It's tied with the military industrial complex

[@DanArnets1492]

Am I the only one that doesn't feel shit for drug addicts? As simple as that Trump message was, that's my philosophy for substances. I know they're bad so I legit avoid using them as much as possible. I destroyed my knee skiing this March and I took the pill the doctor told me ONCE-a-day despite him saying it was a THRICE-a-day pill BECAUSE I know depending on that stuff is an awful idea.

[@catherinepraus8635]

Largest drug dealer in the world

[@SpeakerWiggin49]

​@@DanArnets1492 Aren't you so smart, so mature to be in pain for half the day. Have you ever heard of something called a chronic condition? Your lack of empathy for anything that hasn't directly affected you is showing.

[@brendanmay9585]

Shout out to that local news graphics person. I hope someone sends you this video.

[@johnsieverssr8288]

Thank you, John, for what you do ❤😂

[@halbronk7133]

As soon as he said "local governments" I went "Awww shit, they're giving it to the cops."

[@BomageMinimart]

It is simply unreal how informative this show is.

[@borisban666]

The sad truth is: The comedians are in charge of informing people nowadays. The "serious" journalists at the big media outlets/ networks are really just chasing their own ghosts anymore. It is apparantly more interesting to report on the fart count of an ex-president than to give topics like "Corrupt Supreme Court by Design" or "where is the drug-settlement-money going" the appropriate coverage.

[@Mindless_Ape]

I had two major surgeries and spent 7 years in addiction treatment because my "Doctor" just decided I didn't need pain medication anymore after eight months of taking it. No taper. No help. Just a boot in the ass and a middle finger to my life. I was 23. It ruined the better part of what was supposed to be my prime years. I didn't ask for it. I wasn't shooting dope, or looking to get high. I was in pain, and I still deal with those issues to this day. I'm 36 now. Too many doctors don't give a damn about people. I was a young man with a dangerous form of cancer, and that's the "treatment" I received. Be careful about trusting someone just because they hold a title or position.

[@sharr630]

I had reconstructive foot surgery last year and was prescribed more than one opioid by my doctor. My pharmacy (in PA) automatically gave me a Deterra package.

[@ericmatthews9894]

I sanded and finished hardwood floors for years, one job I had was to work on 6 federal judge's chambers. Let me tell you, the money they spent was ridiculous. Back then an expensive hammer was maybe $20, but they would "Spend" $60 for the same hammer. This was 20 years ago and there was no place in the entire state of Oklahoma where you could have found any Lowe's of Home Depot or Ace hardware store selling a hammer for $60. Now imagine what they would "spend" for an SUV. A $20,000 truck would cost them $60,000 and 4 politicians would somehow end up with an extra $10,000. Then you go on Facebook and see someone complaining about a person buying food with food stamps then spend money to buy dogfood. Are you getting my point, or do I need to explain it further?

[@robertfalk3767]

Can't lie, being in a state that this show says is a "gold standard" for something good makes me feel really good. Hell yeah, Colorado.

[@denotypic1321]

Looking at the breakdown so far, it's nice to see that we're actually spending it on good things as well! The only police department getting funds is for a Naloxone plus program

[@maryrosekent8223]

John, as I’ve said in the past and will likely say in the not-too-distant future, thank you for throwing your lot in with us!

[@ClumDuddle]

Thank you John and crew.

[@shannsimms9072]

5:20 I REALLY like the Tupperware idea. I’m sure she has a nice urn at home but something about a Tupperware container with a kids ashes in it is so much more raw than a nice urn.

[@benzaiten933]

true and it's also far more practical as it keeps the ashes dry and isn't likely to break. but nobody should ever be forced to think about such issues.

[@proteuswest1084]

Or it's not an idea and she can't afford anything nicer. Drug addiction and the opioid crisis is a problem for everyone, but it disproportionately affects the poor. Nothing forces practicality like poverty.

[@cuzned1375]

Amazing that they’re able to aim their high-tech lasso guns at the legs, but when they’re using their lethal guns there’s no time to aim.

[@jpdemer5]

What makes you think they aren't aiming?

[@partyof2539]

Those graphics are from my hometown news station lmaoooo

[@iloveplasticbottles]

"Let's tell the kids not to, it's really bad" We tried that, and it was a complete failure

[@ralph9575]

"North Carolina is the gold standard" sounds like the marketing line for BBQ sauce, tobacoo leaves, or our hockey team 😂

[@drgribb]

Except our tobacco leaves aren't even that good 🥲. They just go into bunk cigarettes. There's a reason we don't see any "Made in NC" fancy cigars at the cigar shop. All the "good" tobacco is grown in like, Dominican Republic and Nicaragua :/ We do got the best bbq sauce though. 🫡

[@bocawilliams9200]

or slavery

[@Camoore81]

I love how the Bola Wrap will only work on people who happen to already be slow duck walking to prevent themselves from pooping their pants. LMAO

[@mr.flibble3190]

On the plus side, it is an alternative for cities that can't afford their own Spider-Man.

[@wurdulac923]

Honestly, I'd rather police departments have a somewhat ineffective method of stopping people than every cop having a gun.

[@chrismanuel9768]

​@@wurdulac923They still have the gun and they'll, without question, still choose the gun

[@wurdulac923]

@@chrismanuel9768 Agreed, but in my scenario they are being forced to replace the gun with the silly bola string.

[@jonjensen2524]

Yes, it's invaluable when you have someone who needs to be restrained and is standing with his arms at his side and his feet close together, as so many people are when confronting police.

[@dillonloaiza593]

"Even if your mom's name wasn't blue on wikipedia" was a low-key great joke.

[@GMAceM]

That “bola” device had to be made by a guy who wanted people to buy something that’s basically translated to “nut wrap” 😂 And yes, bola is ball but can be interpreted as “nuts”

[@TRONkhfan13]

Seeing those Bolas launchers just made me think of the Tow Cables wrapping around AT-ATs