OPIATE ADDICTION CRISES

My previous post focused mainly on the heroin addiction epidemic and the overdose reversal drug, 'narcan.'

The bad news is, that's only half the story of the problematic theme of, 'opiate addiction.' The other half of this horrific equation involves, Dr. prescribed, 'opiate' pain killers. Ironically in the end that's what they sometimes become.

Killers of not just an individuals pain but the ending of someone's life. According to a March, 2016 N.Y. times online article, nationally 125 people die everyday from overdoses, 78 of which are from 'opiates' such as heroin or legal prescription pain medication. The epidemic has spread to white urban, suburban and rural areas. 

Heroin may be the illegal street drug, but Dr.'s overprescribing of highly addictive pain pills such as Vicodin, Tramadol or methamphetamine just to name a few has become increasingly more of an issue.

So, what's the big deal you say after all many folks such as this writer are in serious pain ?

The answer is that besides Dr.'s overprescribing, far too many patients are taking more than what's prescribed. Addiction is like a snowball going downhill. Good luck stopping it ! Alarmingly, an insane number are moving from the prescription medication directly to...cheap illegal heroin.

Folks are shooting up everywhere including recent incidents in Cincinnati where two parents overdosed and died in their child's hospital room. Also in Cincinnati in 2014, an Indiana couple overdosed and died at a McDonald's right in front of their children in the play area. There are many more examples across the country as users are leaving behind contaminated needles strewn everywhere.

Of course, in my previous post I wrote about heroin unknowingly to the users being laced with deadly potent, fentanyl. But, back to the prescription drug situation first. I recently read a story in the Youngstown, Ohio "Vindicator."

Actually it was a letter printed in the advice column from a woman extremely upset about her 72-year-old mother who became addicted to prescription pain killers. First off, the woman readily acknowledges her mothers' need to take responsibility for her part in the addiction.

However, the addicted woman's daughter had to switch Dr.'s several times as they continually ignored her pleas to quit prescribing these highly addictive pain pills to her mother. The average person just doesn't 'get' that they need to be informed, take responsibility and communicate with their Dr.'s.

Addiction withdrawal can be and often is a quite dangerous process for one's body to endure regardless of the type of drug. It involves physical, mental and neurological aspects that can be the ultimate challenge for anyone to overcome.

I recently spoke with, Hope Lavrinoff-Moran, Mahoning Co. coordinator for OHIO CAN. 

She spoke of how addiction is a "chronic relapsing brain disease." This is verified by an online government website. The compulsion and craving to keep using what's generally referred to as, one's "drug of choice"(including alcohol) becomes great. The mental aspect revolves around , more often than not, depression and, or anxiety issues among others. 

One of, if not thee greatest issue compounding these deep addiction issues is that, in Hope's words, it's "beyond the comprehension of the general public" to attempt to understand or want to deal with the uncomfortableness of these deep rooted issues whether it pertains to a friend, relative or otherwise. 

People need to begin to face these issues like it or not. 

There's still a level of the 'stigma' society chooses to attach to addiction issues in general regardless of whether a situation involves legal or illegal drugs. 

Hope lamented the fact that education has to begin in schools from kindergarten through grade 12 and beyond. Many are shopping through parents' medicine cabinets and then sharing with friends. 

As for the treatment facilities, some of them need to stop substituting one addictive drug for another which often occurs. The public needs to be aware of this practice as well and those words are the opinion of this writer, but undoubtedly also of informed people across the country. That's nothing but a setup for, 'relapse.' 

The goal is long-term recovery, not merely delaying a death sentence. 

In President Obama's 2017 proposed federal budget $1.1 billion has been earmarked for distribution to a multitude of prevention, treatment and enforcement initiatives targeting opiate addiction as well as it's devastating effects. 

Finally, a much more compassionate and educated society is sorely needed not to mention open and honest discussion. 

DAVE BURKEY
daveywriter@yahoo.com