Prince’s autopsy deepens the dilemma of opioids as chronic pain meds
After authorities confirmed the musician died from an accidental overdose of fentanyl, health care and communications pros struggle on how best to handle the sensitive and often fatal issue.
Positive messages abound as Minnesota Governor Mark Dayton and Lt. Governor Tina Smith declared today, June 7, Prince Day, in honor of the late musician who died in April. He would have been 58. Public health leaders, addiction specialists and law enforcement authorities however, are getting mired in the messaging around the nation’s opioid epidemic.
That was made even clearer last week when the autopsy results from musician Prince’s death were released.
An attorney for a California doctor and his son who were called to help Prince before he died says his clients did not give the superstar musician any drugs. William Mauzy is an attorney for addiction specialist Dr. Howard Kornfeld and his son, Andrew. He said Thursday his clients “did not deliver, dispense or administer any medication to Prince on the morning of his death or at any other time.” He says they had nothing to do with Prince’s death.
Drawing the battle lines
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