Vickey Cornell, widow of Soundgarden frontman Chris Cornell, visited Congress to address the Bipartisan Heroin and Opioid Task Force to share the story of her husband’s death.
She discussed his death to bring up a larger issue, the nation’s ongoing opioid crisis. Telling the Bipartisan Heroin and Opioid Task Force, “The part that hurts most is Chris’ death was not inevitable, there were no demons that took over. Chris had a brain disease and a doctor who unfortunately, like many, was not properly trained or educated on addiction.”
She emphasized the dilemma of healthcare professionals overprescribing addictive medications stating, “We must integrate addiction treatment into our health care system—no more false narratives about the need to hit rock bottom, no more secret societies, no more shame—we must educate health care providers on how to treat addiction and best support recovery.”
Later she posted on Instagram about the experience with a tribute to her late husband.