WASHINGTON, DC - The Energy and Commerce Committee today released the fourth video from its “Personal Stories from the Opioid Crisis" video series.
The first video, published two weeks ago, highlighted participants from a recent roundtable discussion hearing directly from individuals who have felt the devastating effects of this epidemic. A few days later, viewers were introduced to Aimee Manzoni D’Arpino, a participant from the roundtable. Aimee shared the story of her son, Emmett, who lost his battle with substance use disorder in 2016. Last week, viewers met Devon Hott, a young woman currently in long-term recovery.
Today, we introduce you to Lisa Daniels and Ken Daniels. Their son, Jamie, fatally overdosed on fentanyl-laced heroin in 2016 after falling victim to patient brokering, an issue being investigated by bipartisan committee leaders.
Jamie first went to a rehab facility for help after graduating college in 2015. “You could see the difference, but before long, his brain told him he wanted more opioids," reflected Ken. Jamie relapsed within a few weeks of completing his treatment.
Lisa explained how a Michigan psychologist recommended Jamie “move to an inpatient treatment center in Florida. Jamie got caught up in something that none of us knew about. In a nutshell, it is patient brokering."
The new doctor Jamie was seeing put him on new medication to help treat his anxiety. “Just four days after being prescribed these medications, Jamie ingested heroin laced with fentanyl. Since Jamie had been clean for seven months, that pill shocked his heart and eventually killed him," recalled Lisa.
“The opioid crisis devastated our family," said Ken, who was quick to share that since sharing the story of Jamie, he continues to meet others waging this war. “I have more parents coming up to me and saying ‘my son’s going through this,’ ‘my daughter’s going through this,’ ‘my parents are going through this.’"
“We have to work this out," pleaded Lisa.
As fellow roundtable participant, Kathy O’Keefe told committee members, “This is family," and it’s why we must press on in our fight to combat the opioid crisis.
