Oklahoma: The Good and The Bad
Eli Winter
The Bad:
On August 26 Thad Balkman, an Oklahoma district judge, ordered the pharmaceutical company Johnson & Johnson to pay 572 Million dollars to the state and its residence as a consequence of its role in Oklahoma’s devastating Opioid Addiction Crisis. More than 900 people die each week due to chronic opioid addiction. The crisis has become such a problem, it is no longer just a public health crisis, but a drag on the economy (due to the number of people dying from opioids or getting fired for using them) and a national security issue. No one is sure of the death toll, but some predict that in Oklahoma it is anywhere from 5,000-36,000 in 2017. However, this is a step in the right direction in obtaining justice for the people that have been affected by this, and to prevent future victims.
The Good:
Recently, in Tulsa (the second biggest city in Oklahoma) a new city park called “The Gathering Place” has opened up. Funded by philanthropist George B. Kaiser, the park has been under construction for the last 5 years and costs 465 million dollars. It has now been placed on Time Magazine's “Greatest Places to Visit in 2019” list and is expected to help revitalize the community of the city of Tulsa. It includes a park area, a waterfront, several basketball courts, BMX tracks, and several new riverwalk businesses. I am glad to see this new area of development and spirit being poured back into Tulsa, a great city with severe problems. Although this is one highlight on the path to restoring Tulsa to its former glory.
Did You Know?
Oklahoma has several Native American reservations in its state borders. And while the US Federal Government has the highest jurisdiction over the land, the Reservation’s Government has more power the government than the state of Oklahoma over its territories. They have their own council, police force, and representatives to Congress.
Bibliography
https://www.cfr.org/backgrounder/us-opioid-epidemic
https://time.com/collection/worlds-greatest-places-2019/5654149/the-gathering-place-tulsa-oklahoma/