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This is a little different blog for me. I hope you find it informative .
Surgeon General’s Keynote
I have spent the last few days wearing one of my other hats, Delegate to the America Veterinary Medical Association (AVMA) from the American Association of Feline Practitioners (AAFP). This year’s meeting is being held at the Washington DC Walter Washington Convention Center.
I am honored to be able to work with the leaders of the veterinary community.
This year I had the privilege to hear the Surgeon General of the United States, Jerome Adams, MD speak. A few things about the office of the Surgeon General – as Dr Adams said he is neither a surgeon or a general. He is a Vice-Admiral who oversees the U.S. Public Health Service (USPHS) Commissioned Corps, an elite group of over 6,000 uniformed officers who are public health professionals. The USPHS mission is to protect, promote, and advance the health of our nation. The Surgeon General’s web site
Jerome Adams, MD
Dr. Adams is very humble and gregarious person. Everyone knows that the Surgeon General issued the warning on cigarette packages during the 60’s. In the 80’s and 90’s Dr. C. Everett Koop worked to combat the AIDS epidemic. He worked on education and destigmatizing HIV.
Dr Adams has made combating the opioid crisis one main targets of his tenure. During his talk, he mentioned that his brother is currently in jail in Maryland for possession of heroin. So his family has a Surgeon General and a drug addict.
He emphasized this to members of the AVMA. His brother became addicted from prescription medications. Any one can become addicted.
Saving A Life
He asked anyone who knew CPR to raise their hands. In a room full of doctors, almost every hand went up. He then asked who had Naloxone available with them. There were 3 hands. Naloxone is the antidote to opioids. He emphasized that all of us would probably need to use the Naloxone before we would need to use CPR.
He wanted us to distribute his digital post card which follows below. Please help to spread the postcard. There is also a video on using nasal spray Naloxone.
In both Virginia and Maryland there is a standing order that any one can purchase Naloxone from any pharmacy. Here is more information for those that live in Arlington, VA
The Surgeon General’s Digital Postcard
I hope that in writing this and spreading Dr. Adams’ postcard, someone will be able to save a life.
Thank you, @AVMAVets @AVMAMeets, for having me! It is only with creativity and collaboration that we will overcome the public health challenges faced today. #VetsRock pic.twitter.com/CabOoS4GZ7 — U.S. Surgeon General (@Surgeon_General) August 3, 2019