While the media attention on drug addiction has diminished in recent years, the problem remains a significant public health concern. Overdose deaths involving prescription opioids have continued to rise, especially in the Appalachian region, and many communities and families are still grappling with the long-term consequences of the crisis. As the crisis became more chronic, it lost some of its novelty and shock value for journalists and media audiences. Attention shifted to other issues such as the COVID-19 pandemic and the war in Ukraine, the 2024 election… so there has been less space in the media landscape for coverage of drug addiction. I was glad to see, Jerrad Christian, a candidate for Congress who grew up in Appalachia still campaigning on the attendant issues.
This week he addressed Ohio voters on the opioid addiction problems through a personal lens. It’s worth reading and if you find it valuable, please consider contributing to his fledgling, grassroots campaign here.
My Sister Was Addicted To Heroin
-by Jerrad Christian
The opioid epidemic has decimated thousands of families across Appalachian Ohio, where our campaign is based, and millions of people across the nation. My own family is no exception: my sister Morgan battled through the darkness of heroin addiction, which saw her life hanging in the balance not once, but twice because of overdose. Hers is a harrowing tale of resilience and strength.
Because we lived in separate households growing up, Morgan and I would bond during holidays and special occasions; we connected almost immediately, but didn't really become close until she was in her early 20s. Around that time, we started to talk more and found out we had a lot in common. This was when we really started to understand and care for each other more, becoming good friends who shared their thoughts and feelings and helped each other during tough times.
When she was still a young woman, Morgan moved out of Ohio and her life took a challenging turn. She began experimenting with prescription drugs, influenced by her then-boyfriend. This marked the start of a troubling phase in her life, which eventually led her to heroin. Morgan faced many serious and life-altering struggles that altered the course of her life, and deeply affected our relationship.
During the worst of her struggle with addiction, she vanished from our lives, cutting off all contact. This sickening feeling is something that many of us supporting loved ones who are fighting addiction have experienced. It was a time of immense worry and uncertainty, never knowing where Morgan was or how she was doing.
Her first overdose was a shock to us all, and a painful reminder of the dangers she was facing and the demons she was fighting. It brought the severity of her situation into stark reality. Then, after a brief period of recovery, she relapsed and overdosed again. These incidents were not only terrifying, but also heartbreaking— highlighting the tragic and chaotic nature of addiction.
When she finally realized what her life had become, my sister had had enough. She began her road to recovery by contacting loved ones and rebuilding her life. When she was ready, myself and our family were waiting with open arms and loving hearts. I love my sister, and even through the hardest and most uncertain times tried my best to be her biggest supporter, in the hopes that she would be able to turn things around and come back to us.
After years of sobriety, Morgan is now married and lovingly taking care of two children, building a life that she can be proud of.
I wish this story were unique. My cousin Bobby lost his life to overdose, as have so many other good people. All the while, behind the scenes, Big Pharma played a key role in causing the opioid crisis, promoting overly-aggressive marketing strategies and spreading misleading and false information about the risks of widespread use of opioid painkillers.
As Morgan’s story makes plain, this ever-worsening crisis has left us desperately in need of leaders who will prioritize the well-being of our loved ones over everything else. However, my opponent, Congressman Troy Balderson (R-OH) has a legislative track record that reflects the agenda of the big pharmaceutical companies that bankroll his campaign— this year alone, Balderson’s campaign has received a staggering $37,500 from political action committees (PACs) affiliated with Big Pharma and health insurance companies.
While folks in our communities battle the opioid epidemic every day, Troy Balderson blithely fills his campaign coffers with massive contributions from some of the very people who helped create the crisis in the first place.
Taking a closer look at Troy Balderson's campaign finance filings, a significant portion of the contributions are linked to health insurance and pharmacy benefit management companies, with Cardinal Health Inc. ranking among his top benefactors.
Cardinal Health, along with other major players in the pharmaceutical industry, recently agreed to pay a combined $26 billion to settle opioid claims by local governments nationwide. These companies were accused of failing to report or stop suspicious opioid orders, contributing to the opioid crisis that has torn apart our communities here in rural Ohio and across the country. And Rep. Balderson eagerly accepts their financial contributions to help him remain in power in Washington.
While Balderson claims to be "protecting our families," the statistics tell a different story: Ohio’s rate of overdose fatalities is 85% higher than the national average with 48 deaths out of every 100,000 residents, according to the CDC.
Unlike Troy Balderson, I know the personal toll this crisis takes on real people. In Congress, I will work tirelessly on policies that support evidence-based treatment options, enhance recovery services, and hold Big Pharma accountable. When elected, I will work to expand access to life-saving drugs like naloxone, improve prescription drug monitoring programs to prevent abuse, and invest in community-based recovery services that provide holistic care and support for families.