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Melania Wants to Learn About Opioids

Melania Trump attended a White House "roundtable" on opioid abuse with Ms Most Unimportant Person in the World.

Melania met with experts and people who have been impacted by drug addiction, including opioids, on Thursday The mother-of-one stated that she wanted to 'listen and learn' from their stories, and she sat alongside White House counselor Kellyanne Conway

...Melania stated at the meeting that she wanted to 'listen and learn' from their stories, and she sat alongside White House counselor Kellyanne Conway who reportedly did most of the talking.

According to USA Today, Melania organized the event.

Melania Trump invited experts and people affected by addiction to opioids to the White House for a listening session and discussion about the epidemic.

..."I'm here to listen and learn from all of your stories," she said. And listen she did, leaving White House counselor Kellyanne Conway to do most of the talking.

[More...]

She made clear she is starting her own project, this isn't part of the task force that Christie and Jared are on.

Though the "listening session" in the White House State Room was attended by New Jersey Gov. Chris Christie, Mrs. Trump made clear that her efforts were alongside the presidential commission on opioid abuse that Christie chairs, not a part of it.

Why should this spouse of the man with a desk in the oval office be holding talks on any topic other than fashion or how to progress from visa holder to a U.S. citizen? It's not the taxpayers' responsibility to teach her about topics in which she's expressed curiosity. If she wants to learn about opioid addiction, she could have stayed home and watched Panic in Needle Park which aired on TCM last night. (A great but depressing film about drug addicts who hang out in New York's "Needle Park", at 72nd and Broadway. It was Al Pacino's first starring role, and the screenplay was written by Joan Didion (my favorite writer)and her husband Gregory Dunne and brother in law Dominick Dunne.)

According to an August 1971 Variety news item, because of the timeliness of the subject, two churches presented screenings of the film in conjunction with seminars and discussions for students and teacher. The news item also stated that a Boston circuit operator disregarded the film's R rating, which was awarded based on language used in the film, and allowed anyone over ten years of age into the theater without an adult.

Melania Trump (or Jared Kushner) having a role in the nation's opioid policy is like the blind leading the blind. (No offense intended to sightless persons.)
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  • Display: Sort:
    If they want to reduce the opioids problem (none / 0) (#1)
    by fishcamp on Fri Sep 29, 2017 at 07:38:14 PM EST
    they could start by raising the price on some prescription drugs.  I went to my doctor the other day for a refill on my Vicodin prescription and 34 pills, the now maximum available in Florida, cost $3.45.  

    Of course I have Medicare part D, but still that's very inexpensive.  I take half a pill three times a week prior to going to the gym.  I have to or I can't get through my session due to old ski racing injuries.  So many do sell those pills for $25.00 each.  And also they have eliminated the auto refill situation, so I have to go to the doctor each time, thereby costing Medicare an extra $80 each time.  I truly hate the damn pills, but they are a necessity in my case.  

    We need some leadership in this country that is aware of what's going on.  The latest situation with the director of HHS and his raping of the public domain is a perfect example of poor leadership IMO.

    $80? (none / 0) (#10)
    by MileHi Hawkeye on Mon Oct 02, 2017 at 07:25:42 PM EST
    That sucks. Sounds like you need an appointment to get your Rx? Thankfully, I can get mine by just calling the office and picking them up. Even that is a pain (no pun intended) when one is bedridden and can barely make it to the kitchen, much less getting to the car and driving to Dr's office.

    But please, don't raise the price, the cost of my anti - rejection drugs is enough of a burden for me since I have no income right now.

    Parent

    You're right Hawkeye, (none / 0) (#13)
    by fishcamp on Tue Oct 03, 2017 at 07:33:49 AM EST
    I don't really want to advocate raising the prices on medications.  It's just the difference between the cost of those pills, and the amount they can be sold for is huge.  The doctor did say he knows who should have them and who shouldn't.  

    When they stopped the pill mill phenomena down here a few years ago, users were scrambling to get pain pills and the black market price rose.  Then those people went to heroin which was often cut with the horrible Fentanyl.  It's a scourge they can't stop.

    Sorry to hear you're still ill and hope you get through it soon.  It appears different states have different requirements on obtaining medications.  We all love to hear your excellent comments.

    Parent

    Ah, I got ya' (none / 0) (#14)
    by MileHi Hawkeye on Tue Oct 03, 2017 at 10:23:42 AM EST
    Big Rx is making serious coin off opiods and don't give a flying phuck about who gets hurt in the process. Profits over responsibilty.

    This year alone, I've had to go to a three week supply (more trips to the Dr's office) down from a month to limit the # of pills per Rx to try and stay below the Feds radar.

    Additionally, the insurance took away my oxycotin and gave a choice of morphine sulfate or Fentanyl patches. Scary stuff - I'm still worried that I'll OD.

    Still some very days where I think that wouldn't be all bad.

    Parent

    MileHi, (5.00 / 4) (#15)
    by Zorba on Tue Oct 03, 2017 at 08:12:16 PM EST
    Please know that you have people here that care about you, are worried about you, and wish you the best.
    Many hugs and all our best wishes.
    Namaste, my brother.  

    Parent
    Thank you, Zorba! (5.00 / 1) (#16)
    by MileHi Hawkeye on Tue Oct 03, 2017 at 10:54:18 PM EST
    That's most kind. Not to worry though, I've beat tougher stuff than this. Besides, 10 year old me made a promise to myself that I'd outlive my Mom - so I've got a ways to go.

    You wouldn't have any super easy, super high calorie recipes, would you? I need to get 35 pounds to get back on.

    Parent

    I don't really have much in the way of (5.00 / 2) (#17)
    by Zorba on Thu Oct 05, 2017 at 10:07:12 AM EST
    Simple high calorie recipes.  High calorie, yes; simple, not so much.
    I would suggest pasta.  Brown some butter, grate some full-fat cheese, serve the butter and cheese on pasta.
    Avocados are good for you and are high fat (but the "good" kind of fat), so eat avocados.  Mash them, add some chopped up tomatoes, garlic, lime juice, onions.  Chow down on it with chips.  Or take your chips, cover them with full-fat cheddar cheese, melt cheese in microwave, then glop those nachos with the guacamole and some (full fat) sour cream.
    Eat nuts and nut butters.
    Full fat Greek yogurt.  Add some honey and/or fruit.
    Make smoothies of your choice, but use coconut milk to replace some or all of regular milk.  Coconut milk has way more calories than regular milk.
    Milkshakes.

    That's all I can come up with off the top of my head.
    Oh, and there's always a nice steak, with a baked potato with butter, sour cream, and real bacon bits.

    Parent

    Thanks to all... (none / 0) (#21)
    by MileHi Hawkeye on Thu Oct 12, 2017 at 11:51:39 PM EST
    for the suggestions! Can't stay on my feet long enough to really do any cooking but am trying to add on stuff to add calories. Doesn't help that I don't have much of an appetite.

    GI doc yesterday - he's going to do a whole bunch of tests. Getting pretty sick and tired of this crap but not exactly looking forward to more poking and prodding either. Just hope he can find something and its easily corrected. So, fingers crossed.

    Parent

    MileHi, I'm so sorry to hear all of this. (5.00 / 1) (#18)
    by Anne on Thu Oct 05, 2017 at 11:33:10 AM EST
    Do I remember correctly that you had a kidney transplant?  Asking because I'm wondering if you have to watch your protein intake or if your overall function is such that you're okay on that front (my husband has Type 2 diabetes, but also has had some loss of kidney function, and it's been hard to balance the diet for diabetes with the diet for renal failure - he's not supposed to eat too much protein).

    Oh, and how's your overall appetite?  Is needing to put on some pounds complicated by any lack of appetite?  

    Okay, so, have you tried this?  It's high in protein, and may work well as a supplement to your regular diet.  

    I'd second all of Zorba's suggestions, and add some ideas from when my picky-eater kids were little:

    Peanut butter and butter sandwiches
    Half and half or cream on cereal instead of milk.
    "milkshakes" made with ice cream and cream
    Avocado toast

    Family favorite: steak sliced thin and piled on rolls dipped in butter. yum.

    Also - found this on Sloan-Kettering's website, intended to help people undergoing cancer treatment who need to put on or maintain their weight:

       

    Don't eat foods that are fat-free or reduced in fat. Avoid food and drink labels that say "low-fat," "non-fat," or "diet." For example, use whole milk instead of skim.

        Snack on dried fruits, nuts, or dried seeds. Add them to hot cereals, ice cream, or salads.

        Drink fruit nectars or fruit shakes.

        Add butter, margarine, or oils to potatoes, rice, and pasta. Also add them to cooked vegetables, sandwiches, toast, and hot cereals.

        Add cream cheese to toast or bagels or use it as a spread on vegetables.

        Spread cream cheese and jam or peanut butter and jelly on crackers.

        Add jelly or honey to breads and crackers.

        Mix jam with diced fruit and use it as a topping over ice cream or cake.

        Snack on tortilla chips with guacamole. Add avocado slices to your salads.

        Use high-calorie dressings on salads, baked potatoes, and on chilled cooked vegetables, such as green beans or asparagus.

        Add sour cream, half and half, or heavy cream to mashed potatoes and cake and cookie recipes. You can also add it to pancake batter, sauces, gravies, soups, and casseroles.

        Top cakes, waffles, French toast, fruits, puddings, and hot chocolate with whipped cream.
        Make vegetables or pasta with cream sauces.

        Use mayonnaise, creamy salad dressing, or aioli sauce in salads, sandwiches, and vegetable dips.

        Mix granola with yogurt or put it on top of ice cream or fruits.

        Top your ice cream or unfrosted cakes with sweetened condensed milk. Combine the condensed milk with peanut butter to add more calories and flavor.

        Add croutons to your salads or omelets.

        Include bread stuffing as a side dish with your meals.

        Drink homemade shakes. Try the shake recipes in the "Recipes" section. You can also drink high-calorie, high-protein drinks, such as Carnation® Breakfast Essentials or Ensure. See the next section for a list of nutritional supplements you can buy.

    There are a bunch of recipes further down that page that may give you some ideas, too.

    Good luck - hope this helps!

    Parent

    Yes, in 2010. (none / 0) (#20)
    by MileHi Hawkeye on Thu Oct 12, 2017 at 11:29:12 PM EST
    No restrictions now. When I was losing function, it wasn't so much limiting protein, but limiting sources of protein that were high in phosphorus. Since I wasn't on dialysis, I really had to be good.

    The CKD diet.

    The dairy restriction was HARD!

    Parent

    healthy high calorie foods (5.00 / 1) (#19)
    by MO Blue on Thu Oct 05, 2017 at 11:34:46 AM EST
    Here is an AARP Link to some healthy high calorie foods:

    http://tinyurl.com/y79ksu4d

    Many of the foods like Quinoa, high calorie fruit, avocados and nuts can be added to other foods like oatmeal, salads etc. to increase calorie count.

    Here is a link to article on uses of Quinoa which can be fixed in larger amounts and stored to use as desired as an additive:

    http://tinyurl.com/yd5el7g3

    These are legitimate links. I couldn't get the site to post links properly.

    Parent

    Can't fault FLOTUS. At least she wants to (none / 0) (#2)
    by oculus on Sat Sep 30, 2017 at 12:44:52 AM EST
    dig into a serious problem.

    Yeah... (5.00 / 1) (#3)
    by kdog on Sat Sep 30, 2017 at 07:57:06 AM EST
    Desperate to figure out what drugs her dopey husband is on.

    Parent
    or which ones (5.00 / 1) (#4)
    by CaptHowdy on Sat Sep 30, 2017 at 09:56:17 AM EST
    she needs to take to escape

    Parent
    After a few months of (5.00 / 1) (#5)
    by MKS on Sat Sep 30, 2017 at 12:14:44 PM EST
    education, she can pick up Nancy Reagan's "Just Say No" campaign.

    Nothing to give Melania credit for here.  

    Parent

    Maybe, Melania's (none / 0) (#7)
    by KeysDan on Sat Sep 30, 2017 at 02:05:02 PM EST
    fresh message can be "if you are not married to a monster, there is no reason to be on drugs--and even then, just say no."

    Parent
    But what can she do ... (none / 0) (#6)
    by Yman on Sat Sep 30, 2017 at 01:31:47 PM EST
    ... after she "digs in"?  Maybe a line of jewelry?  Does anyone take her speeches seriously, even when they're not plagiarized?

    Parent
    I'm ok to cut her some slack. But not her husband, (none / 0) (#8)
    by oculus on Sat Sep 30, 2017 at 09:10:28 PM EST
    or his adult to offspring or Jared.

    Parent
    that puzzles me (5.00 / 1) (#9)
    by CaptHowdy on Sun Oct 01, 2017 at 07:38:56 AM EST
    considering she is the one person, except possibly Jared, who is in this by choice.

    Parent
    Because her husband ran (none / 0) (#11)
    by oculus on Mon Oct 02, 2017 at 08:37:06 PM EST
    for President?  

    PS. I did not consider my 2 yrs. as a military spouse to be my choice.

    Parent

    Because she married him (none / 0) (#12)
    by CaptHowdy on Mon Oct 02, 2017 at 08:45:44 PM EST
    She surely knew what she was getting.

    Although you are right that she likely never thought she would be FLOTUS

    Parent