“At the National Black Caucus of State Legislators Conference in Indianapolis, U.S. Surgeon General and former Indiana Health Commissioner Jerome Adams called for racial equity in addressing the opioid epidemic.
“Adams spoke Friday to an audience that included members of state legislatures across the country, an event that kicked off with a performance of elementary school children singing “Lift Every Voice” — considered by many the Black national anthem.
“Adams said race and class play a role in how communities respond to the opioid epidemic.
“’Here’s the challenge for all of you in this room. We need to make sure when policies are implemented to address the opioid epidemic, they’re implemented in an equitable way,’ he said.”