Raising Lazarus: Hope, Justice, and the Future of America's Overdose Crisis

Beth Macy's Raising Lazarus documents the ongoing opioid crisis in America through the stories of healthcare providers, harm reduction workers, and affected communities. The book follows several individuals working on the frontlines of addiction treatment and recovery support across multiple states. The narrative tracks grassroots efforts to save lives through controversial but effective methods like needle exchange programs and medication-assisted treatment. Macy explores the resistance these programs face from both local communities and institutional forces, while also examining the role of pharmaceutical companies in the crisis. The book profiles advocates who fight legal battles, navigate bureaucracy, and risk personal safety to help people struggling with substance use disorder. Their work takes place against the backdrop of the COVID-19 pandemic, which complicated addiction treatment efforts nationwide. Through these interconnected stories, Raising Lazarus illustrates how systemic change requires action at both policy and community levels. The book presents addiction as a public health issue rather than a moral failing, emphasizing evidence-based solutions over punishment.

Readers describe this as a frontlines account of harm reduction workers and activists addressing the opioid crisis. Most reviews note the book's focus on solutions and real people making changes, rather than just documenting problems. Liked: - Personal stories that put faces to statistics - Clear explanations of harm reduction approaches - Documentation of grassroots efforts and local heroes - Balance of narrative storytelling with factual reporting Disliked: - Some found it overwhelming with too many characters - A few readers wanted more focus on policy solutions - Critics note it covers similar ground to Macy's previous book "Dopesick" Ratings: Goodreads: 4.4/5 (1,100+ ratings) Amazon: 4.7/5 (300+ ratings) Book of the Month Club: 4.5/5 Notable review quote: "Shows what's working on the ground while not sugar-coating the immense challenges ahead" - Goodreads reviewer

Dopesick by Beth Macy This investigation of the opioid epidemic traces the crisis from pharmaceutical marketing to street-level addiction through stories of doctors, dealers, and families in Appalachia.

American Overdose by Chris McGreal The book connects opioid manufacturers, government policies, and medical practices to reveal systemic failures that fueled America's overdose epidemic.

Pain Killer by Barry Meier A chronicle follows OxyContin from its development through its role in creating a public health crisis, incorporating legal documents and insider accounts.

Death in Mud Lick by Eric Eyre This investigation exposes how pharmaceutical companies flooded small-town pharmacies with millions of opioid pills while local communities crumbled.

Empire of Pain by Patrick Radden Keefe The book traces three generations of the Sackler family and their role in developing, marketing, and profiting from OxyContin.

📚 Author Beth Macy spent over 40 hours riding along with harm reduction workers in various states, witnessing firsthand their efforts to help people struggling with addiction. 🏆 The book serves as a sequel to Macy's previous bestseller "Dopesick," which was adapted into an Emmy-winning Hulu series starring Michael Keaton. 💊 The title "Raising Lazarus" references both the biblical story and the life-saving drug naloxone (Narcan), which can bring people back from the brink of fatal overdose. 🗓️ During the first year of the COVID-19 pandemic (2020), over 93,000 Americans died from drug overdoses—the highest number ever recorded in a single year. 👩‍⚕️ The book highlights the work of "bridge people"—former users turned outreach workers who can connect with current users in ways that medical professionals and law enforcement often cannot.