Q&A With Gary Franklin, MD, MPH, FAAN, of the University of Washington: The Opioid Epidemic: Where Do We Go From Here?

The opioid epidemic began nearly 30 years ago and since that time small steps have been taken to reverse its effects. The question remains whether too much damage has already been done to fix the problems in a timely manner.

Gary Franklin, MD, MPH, FAAN, from the University of Washington discussed what needs to be done to ensure patients get the care they need without becoming addicted to opioid medications during the American Academy of Neurology's annual meeting in Washington DC. Franklin noted that even the opioid meciations that have been developed to protect against abuse have not made a significant impact in stopping the spread of the epidemic.