American Overdose: The Opioid Tragedy In Three Acts

By Chris Mcgreal Faber & Faber, 336pp, £12.99

Written by Us-based journalist Chris Mcgreal, American Overdose looks at the country’s opioid crisis, dealing with the origins of the drugs involved, their proliferation, efforts to combat the problems, and what the future holds for those caught up in the trade. Mcgreal delves deep into the story behind prescription painkillers (with a focus on Oxycontin) that have left families and communities in ruin, and many people in the grip of addiction. We meet the good, the bad and the ugly characters involved. There are people who spotted the problems and tried to stop them; rogue doctors and pharmacists who cashed in with unscrupulous prescribing and dispensing – and then there are the people who have lost loved ones to addiction and its consequences. It is a riveting read, and as well as painting a detailed picture of this crisis and its history it can also be seen as a warning of what can happen when healthcare is run like an industry. ■