Letter: Palliative Care as a Solution to Opioid Misuse
Ian Lock, a resident of Salt Lake City, recently penned a letter to Deseret News of Salt Lake voicing his opinion that palliative care can play a role in the opioid crisis.
“Our country must do more to address opioid misuse, and I appreciate Congress’ action on this issue. An important piece of the solution may lie with the Palliative Care and Hospice Training Act that has bipartisan support and just needs a final push to pass,” says Lock.
Lock received palliative care as he dealt with cancer.
“As a cancer survivor, the palliative care I received during my cancer treatment was critical. A team of specialists addressed my pain, anxiety and other symptoms. As an American Cancer Society Cancer Action Network volunteer, I’m grateful to Congressman Stewart for his support of this bill. I’m counting on him to help it over the finish line,” says Lock.
“Palliative care treats the whole person, not just the disease. It ties perfectly with efforts to reduce opioid abuse. This bill would expand pain and symptom management training for doctors and others treating serious illnesses, like cancer, that cause chronic or acute pain. It would boost the National Institutes of Health funding for pain research to improve pain management best practices — helping ease cancer patients’ suffering while curbing opioid misuse,” adds Lock.
Click here to read the full letter.