Opioid Crisis: Video with Mayo Experts Available for Media

Newswise — ROCHESTER, Minn. — Each day, 78 people in the U.S. die of opioid overdoses, and more than 1,000 are treated in emergency departments for opioid misuse, federal figures show. In a series of broadcast-quality, 60-second videos available for media use, Mayo Clinic anesthesiologist and pain medicine expert W. Michael Hooten, M.D., and gastroenterologist Michael Camilleri, M.D., discuss the opioid epidemic and the dangers associated with inappropriate use of prescription pain medication.

These seven Mayo Clinic Minutes will be available for download on the Mayo Clinic News Network:• “Prescription Drugs: The New Face of Addiction” (Sept. 22)• “Facts on Fentanyl” ( 23)• “Avoid Opioids for Chronic Pain“ (Sept. 26)• “Two Reasons Not to Share Pain Pills” ( 27)• “When Are Opioids OK to Take?” ( 28)• “What Opioids Do to Your Gut (Sept. 29)• “How to Stop Popping Painkillers” (Sept. 30)Journalists and members of the public can join Dr. Hooten to discuss the nation’s opioid crisis on Sept. 22 at 4:30 p.m. EDT. Dr. Hooten will explain what opioids are and what they do, how people become addicted, and what help is available to manage chronic pain.

To join the chat, go to https://connect.mayoclinic.org/discussion/opioid-epidemic-chat-with-dr-hooten.

To interview Dr. Hooten or Dr. Camilleri, contact Sharon Theimer, Mayo Clinic Public Affairs, at [email protected] or 507-284-5005. For questions about the Mayo Clinic News Network, contact Dana Sparks, Mayo Clinic Public Affairs, at [email protected].

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