When the White House rolled out a new initiative on Tuesday to prevent opioid overdoses, Major League Baseball (MLB) emerged as a key private-sector partner for a pretty obvious reason. Remember the tragic death of Los Angeles Angels pitcher Tyler Skaggs nearly five years ago? He was found in a Texas hotel room, having succumbed to a toxic mix of oxycodone, fentanyl, and ethanol. This tragedy was traced back to Eric Kay, the former Angels communications director, who illegally supplied oxycodone to Skaggs and other players. Kay's actions led to a 22-year federal prison sentence.
Here are some key highlights of the MLB's involvement in this lifesaving initiative:
- Emergency Measures: MLB now requires naloxone, a life-saving drug that can reverse opioid overdoses, to be stored in multiple locations such as clubhouses, weight rooms, dugouts, and umpire dressing rooms at both Major and Minor League ballparks.
- On-the-Go Safety: All Certified Athletic Trainers must carry naloxone while traveling with MLB teams.
- Employee Training: MLB is committed to training its employees on naloxone use and raising awareness about overdose prevention among fans.
Jon Coyles, MLB's Vice President of Drug Health and Safety Programs, emphasized the significance of this issue. "I can't think of a more important public health issue than this particular one," he told Sports Illustrated. "Our focus on naloxone and our public platform in baseball can help raise awareness and contribute to the national conversation on opioid overdoses."
The statistics are alarming. Opioid-involved overdose deaths jumped from 49,860 in 2019 to 81,806 in 2022, according to the National Institute on Drug Abuse. MLB's proactive stance includes conducting 12,000 drug tests for abuse last year, with Jon Coyles noting that opioid use among players is "low." Importantly, players testing positive are not subject to discipline under the policy established in 2019 after Skaggs' death.
During Kay's trial, it was revealed that Skaggs wasn’t the only Angels player to receive oxycodone from him. Teammates Matt Harvey, Mike Morin, Cam Bedrosian, and C.J. Cron testified about the opioid use that occurred when they played in Anaheim.
The MLB is now more vigilant and better prepared to tackle opioid abuse, ensuring that the tragic loss of Tyler Skaggs leads to meaningful change. The collaboration between MLB and the White House Challenge to Save Lives from Overdose is a powerful step towards preventing future tragedies and safeguarding the health of players and fans alike.
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