Stark County has been hit hard by both positive and negative developments in the ongoing fight against the devastating opioid crisis.
Although the number of overdose deaths in Ohio fell by 5% in 2022, it still reached a shocking 4,915 lives, surpassing the previous year’s record of 5,174 deaths.
Unfortunately, overdose deaths in Stark County increased by 11%, surpassing the 1% nationwide rise. Many families were devastated by the loss of 159 members of our community as a result of this tragedy.
The United States has the world’s highest incidence of opioid deaths, and these figures serve as a sobering reminder that we must all pause, examine closely, and ask why and what can be done to halt the destruction of so many lives.
Our most formidable adversary is fentanyl, a synthetic opioid. I call it the “devil on earth” quite a bit. The majority of drug overdoses that occur unintentionally are caused by it.
In terms of the rise in deaths, illicit fentanyl seems to be the main culprit. The judges here have, alas, seen firsthand the dramatic uptick in fentanyl overdose cases in the last year, with the drug originating in Mexico and China.
The fact that fentanyl is being sold in combination with other drugs, such as heroin, meth, and cocaine, is even more terrifying. Fentanyl has been laced with many drugs, and many users are unaware of this.
Xylazine sometimes referred to as “the zombie drug,” is now being trafficked in cases that have never been seen before. Truthfully, it’s an equine tranquilizer that has the potential to cause the user’s body to physically disintegrate, resulting in horrific, long-lasting wounds that could lead to limb amputations or perhaps death.
Distributing naloxone (Narcan) is a straightforward strategy for saving lives. In the event of an overdose, naloxone can counteract its effects and save lives. The antidote medicine can transform a near-death experience into conscious movement and speech in just a few minutes in cases of overdose.
We can increase our chances of saving lives by increasing the availability of this lifesaver through community programs, health agencies, hospitals, and pharmacies. States that passed legislation to provide access to naloxone saw a 14% decrease in overdose fatalities.
Families dealing with this issue should not be stigmatized in any way. An illness, as we all know, is addiction. Being there for people and urging them to get help when they need it is crucial.
The truth is that everyone is feeling the effects of this epidemic. Too many lives are being lost, regardless of your socioeconomic status.
Every user isn’t evil. Many people become dependent on these substances after suffering an injury in a car accident, a sporting event, or on the job.
Also, one of our most powerful weapons is knowledge, which is why it’s so important to grasp this. Substance misuse problems, difficulties, relapses, and rehabilitation can be better understood if this information is shared through many channels, such as schools, churches, medical and social professions, or even the legal system.
In the previous three years, the number of deaths among teenagers (those aged 14 to 18) caused by fentanyl has been threefold. We must have open conversations with our youth about opioids, including what they are, the risks associated with them, how to handle a prescription for them, and the consequences of abusing medications from others.
Last but not least, getting help may be the best thing you can do on your road to recovery. Stark County is blessed with an abundance of high-quality treatment centers and beds that are accessible at all times. “I couldn’t get help” is an unacceptable excuse nowadays.
There are many situations where a combination of medication and counseling can be the best course of action. For people who have struggled to finish treatment or who have experienced relapses, a long-term lockdown facility that includes all of these services may be the best option. Because of it, they can’t just up and leave, returning to their old dangerous ways of living.
Our generation will be defined by the opioid catastrophe. There is still little reason to celebrate, even though Ohio’s stats are moving in the right direction. Consider: in 2022, over 110,000 of our fellow citizens died as a result of drug overdoses that were neither intended nor prevented.
With any luck, the opioid litigation settlement will bring in much-needed funds to help with overdose prevention and addiction treatment in our community.
At the same time, the Malone University Johnson Center will play host to the ninth annual Opioid Symposium on February 22nd, from 6 to 8 p.m., organized by the Stop Heroin From Killing Committee. Anyone can attend at no cost. Great speakers will be sharing important information on addiction, treatment alternatives, and recovery, so it’s a chance to learn and grow.
Your own life, or the life of someone you care about, could be saved simply by listening.
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