Monday, January 30, 2023

Raising Lazarus

 by Beth Macy

After reading many books about the Opioid Epidemic, I was not sure I needed to read Raising Lazarus; but I was wrong.

Amazon Review: Beth Macy compels us not to look away from those who are suffering from the opioid epidemic. Her philosophy is reflected in the book’s title, a biblical story about challenging yourself to get uncomfortably close to death in order to witness the miracle of life. But our society rejects this idea, assigning shame and stigma to addiction—and soon the equivalent population of Houston will be dead from opioids. Macy weaves incredible tales of heroic volunteers meeting troubled drug users where they are. She offers a new language to challenge the contempt around drug use—“bupe,” “opioid use disorder”—which she argues is a human condition that cannot be eradicated. There’s no magic wand, and no political party is off the hook. Macy shines by bringing statistics to life with illuminating personal stories, and you’ll leave this book feeling sobered and perhaps inspired by this moment, a “historical opportunity to radically rethink addiction care.” —Lindsay Powers, Amazon Editor

Macy's book is essential reading for anyone who wants to understand the epidemic of drug abuse.