In the opioid crisis, here's what it takes to save a life | Jan Rader

As a fire chief and first responder, Jan Rader has spent her career saving lives. But when the opioid epidemic hit her town, she realized they needed to take a brand-new approach to life-saving. In this powerful, hopeful talk, Rader shows what it's like on the front lines of this crisis -- and how her community is taking an unusual new approach to treating substance-abuse disorder that starts with listening.

The TED Talks channel features the best talks and performances from the TED Conference, where the world's leading thinkers and doers give the talk of their lives in 18 minutes (or less). Look for talks on Technology, Entertainment and Design -- plus science, business, global issues, the arts and more.

[TheSoulCourier]

Can we clone this woman? Make about a couple million of her? As someone who has suffered from addiction and have been in recovery for 13 yrs, and now work as a treatment counselor for substance abuse, we'd have a powerful weapon against the opioid crisis! Bless this woman and ALL first responders, medical personnel and citizens on the front lines of the war on addiction!

[gwyn]

She and my husband hired on in the same group at the same time. He retired 2 1/2 years ago but was right on the front lines of the heroin epidemic. He responded to 8 overdoses in 24 hours just in his district.
Jan, Brad and I are very proud of your work. Keep fighting the good fight!

[EpicNightBlade]

Absolutely wonderful, inspiring woman who you can so clearly tell loves her community.

Thank you for bringing the issue of first responders and medical professional’s mental health into focus. Truly enlightening.

[nursepaulakay]

Thanks for your service, Chief! You’re an absolute SUPERHERO!

[solala]

I saw the Netflix documentary with her. it truly touched me, we need more people like her!

[mr.workhardplayhard]

Thank you for your service with such a selfless act of courage day in and day out. You truly are a hero in many ways!

[coopereverett]

What a clear, concise and topical speech, not even a hint of fluff or filler. I have tremendous respect for this passionate, intelligent and impactful community leader. Take note- this is how it’s done.

[nataliegee]

I think I’ve seen this speaker in a documentary on Netflix. She appears a little bit nervous on the TED talk stage. She was amazing in the documentary, really spoke from the heart and you got a true sense of what it’s like to deal with people in the midst of an opioid addiction.

[Tvhsak]

She melted my heart. And she also inspired me to help in my community!

[stephaniesims]

Hands down this program gets it. They value their employees, they get it. I would work for this department any day! Thank you, I truly hope other department take a note from this department.

[tofu]

jan rader is one of the first leaders in huntington who has actually shown care for the community, and not lining their own pockets. her team saved my sister in 2017 and taught us ways to help her, and encouraged us to help her seek further care. without jan rader, we would've had to bury her. thank you so much for everything you do for our town and others like us. thank you teaching the people of huntington to care for each other.

[andreasmith]

Excellent new insite for me. I have been in many situations where I have heard a persons story on how opioids have effected their lives and this has brought in a positive (praying) angle for everyone in such a black hole this crisis has become. Jan Rader has inspired me to share this as much as possible. I work at a community college where we educated first responders.

[Packman]

I’m a new paramedic and have seen my fair share of overdoses from heroin and she made me shed a year bc sometimes I do feel helpless when they refuse and don’t want help. Thanks for this Ted talk made me a little more hopeful for the future

[trishhart]

What a beautiful person and outreach... God Bless her and her team. I will look into starting the same in my area.

[EricBZink]

What it takes is people helping people to bring awareness! Love the inspiration for my videos I find here!

[georginaburrows]

I live in Huntington, I was volunteering at a luncheon in Huntington several months ago having no idea who the speaker was but I'm glad it was you and it was an honor hearing your side of the epidemic.

[AdventurousLife]

Officer, wonderful and profound speech.
This one needs to be heard by everyone as well as every nation. May God bless you with long life and your family.
love you from India.😍

[lovely-mkrt]

Excellent! Compassionate, intelligent, common sense approach to a very deadly disease.

[hotwolf]

Thank you Jan and all othe first responders.

[headcold]

I’m weeping for what could have been for so many and myself if resources like this were available here. All critics of compassionate care that addresses the root problem in any issue is a root problem in the stagnation of a nation