The Dutch solved their opioid crisis. Can their approach work in the Gulf South?

As thousands in the United States die from opioid overdoses each year, the Dutch responded to their own opioid crisis by changing their approach. That included embracing harm reduction and an integrated public health model to policing drug use.

In this week’s episode, public health reporter Drew Hawkins takes us to the Netherlands, where he explores how these different tactics could work in the Gulf South.

And for this week’s Gulf States Gem: Drew went to Dutch Carnaval in a small village in the Netherlands.

This episode is hosted and written by public health reporter Drew Hawkins. The podcast was produced by Stephan Bisaha, Kat Stromquist, Orlando Flores Jr. and Ryan Vasquez. Joseph King is our social producer. Nellie Beckett is our audience engagement producer. Our theme music is by DJ Supreme.

To get in touch with the team, email connect@gulfstatesnewsroom.org.

And support our local station partners by donating to WWNO, MPB, or WBHM.

READ MORE:

Public Health

Going Dutch: Harm reduction is embraced in the Netherlands but struggles in the US

Drew Hawkins

The Netherlands has proven drug use harm reduction works. So why does it still face stigma, criminalization and political resistance in the Gulf South?

Listen • 4:49

Public Health

Netherlands police embrace a public health approach to drugs. Will it work in the South?

Drew Hawkins

Despite the opioid crisis’ deadly toll, U.S police treat drug use as a criminal issue. But in the Netherlands, a public health approach has seen better results.

Listen • 4:26