I don't think I need to tell you this, but there's an opioid crisis

roiling our nation.

A nationwide epidemic is killing hundreds of thousands of people

all across the country every year. We're talking about the opioid crisis.

For nearly two decades now, the opioid crisis has ravaged our communities.

First, it was opioids in the form of prescription painkillers.

Then, it evolved into opioids in the form of heroin.

And now, it's opioids in the form of fentanyl.

The crisis keeps growing. It keeps evolving.

We're nowhere near putting it to an end.

Millions of people and their families from Washington to Florida

are dealing with addiction. Thousands are dying in our communities.

And the family that kicked the whole thing off to line their pockets,

the Sackler family, through their company Purdue Pharmaceuticals,

and their prescription opioid oxycontin,

still walk free, sponsoring Ritziard at places like the Met.

But for what it's worth, our politicians seem to be at least trying.

Your heart just goes out to these families.

It is our responsibility to care for the most vulnerable in our society.

We need to create a society where there is hope,

where there is actually a vision of how someone's life can improve.

So by now, you've gotten used to our MO in this series.

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