Trudy Busch Valentine Tackles the Opioid Epidemic After Tragic Loss

IMAGE SOURCE: Opioid death of son inspires first agenda item for Democratic Senate candidate • Missouri Independent

The opioid epidemic has affected many families across the state of Missouri with 1,375 recorded overdose deaths related to opioids in 2020. This number continues to increase as the rates of addiction continue to increase across the state and no candidate understands this personal struggle quite like Trudy Busch Valentine.

In August of 2020, Matt Valentine, son of Trudy Busch Valentine, became one of the 1,375 recorded opioid deaths in the state of Missouri. After 499 days of sobriety, Matt began taking the painkillers that would eventually take his life. Matt’s struggle is just like the silent struggle of so many others across our state. Originally prescribed to treat intense pain, opioids are often given to patients without warning of just how addictive and dangerous these substances are.

IMAGE SOURCE: Trudy Busch Valentine - The Grant’s Farm Experience | St. Louis, MO (grantsfarm.com)

As a mom, Trudy Busch Valentine understood that it was time for her to do something. Although it was too late to save her dear son, it was not too late to enact change for the rest of the people of Missouri who may be at risk of facing the same tragedy experienced by her and her family. This very tragedy sparked a change in her, and laid the foundation for one of the main policy focuses of her campaign, the opioid epidemic.

Although it remains as the leading cause of death in Missouri for those aged 18-24, addiction, particularly opioid addiction continues to be a taboo subject for many households, but for many more it is deeply personal. Having watched family members struggle with addiction, particularly to opioids throughout my life it is reassuring to have a candidate like Trudy Busch Valentine finally listening to the concerns of so many of us who have watched lives ruined or ended before our eyes. Although it is painful for both the individual and the family to come to terms with, Trudy Busch Valentine’s message of compassion and love are important in providing a safe space for sufferers to advocate for themselves and seek treatment from such a taboo condition.

IMAGE SOURCE: The Opioid Epidemic in Missouri: Sana Lake Recovery Center

However, compassion and love are simply not enough, and Trudy Busch Valentine understands this. She is putting policy proposals forward that include extensive training for healthcare professionals on the proper use of opioids as well as their dangers, increased funding for police departments to investigate and enforce drug trafficking laws, helping healthcare providers in providing alternative forms of pain management, and finally, holding the pharmaceutical companies creating these dangerous substances accountable.

Trudy Busch Valentine is the candidate my family and so many others need to finally take action and save lives. This is why I will be voting for Trudy Busch Valentine this November, and this is why you should too. This race is about more than politics, its about people. For more information about the Trudy Busch Valentine’s stances on the opioid epidemic and how to get involved visit her website here.