In the dark, cold parking lot of Providence Milwaukie Hospital, a 26-year-old man named Jean Descamps lay limp, his body covered in a blanket against the winter chill. The night before, hospital staff had deemed him fit to leave, despite his emaciated state, covered in feces, and often unresponsive. They believed he was faking his illness, a common perception among medical professionals who often view addiction patients with suspicion. This incident, captured on bodycam footage, highlights a troubling national pattern: people with serious alcohol or drug addiction frequently receive insufficient or no treatment in doctor's offices, clinics, and hospitals, often with devastating consequences. The hospital's decision to discharge Descamps without a toxicology test to evaluate drugs in his system raised concerns, as it failed to address the underlying issue of addiction. This case is not an isolated incident; federal data reveals that in 2025, over 80% of people in need of addiction treatment received no medical help. The stigma surrounding addiction among healthcare workers remains deep-rooted, with many doctors carrying a bias against addiction patients, fearing they will abuse medications. Despite the availability of safe and effective treatments like methadone and buprenorphine, which could significantly reduce opioid overdoses, these medications are rarely offered. The opioid crisis, declared a national public health emergency by President Trump, has led to a lack of proper training and support for clinicians, contributing to the widespread reluctance to treat addiction patients. The consequences of inadequate addiction care are far-reaching, with patients like Descamps dying from overdoses after being discharged without proper evaluation or treatment. The Milwaukie Police Department's bodycam footage captures the sorrow and anger of officers who tried to save Descamps' life, emphasizing the urgent need for better addiction care and a shift in the medical community's perspective towards treating addiction as a treatable disorder.
