8.31.18 | Int'l Overdose Awareness Day
What other completely preventable disease is killing 200 American people - every. single. day.? Today, Aug. 31, is International Overdose Awareness Day, and for those of us with a loved one who has experienced the horror of an overdose, it's an important time to let others know what's happening and why. For context on the number of people we lost in 2017, see the below chart that compares overdose deaths to things like car crashes, breast cancer, AIDS and even the entire Vietnam War (spoiler alert, OD deaths surpass them all by far)
source: https://www.cdc.gov/nchs/nvss/vsrr/drug-overdose-data.htm
So what is the main message for today? I would argue there are more than just one:
NARCAN. It's tempting to start with prevention or treatment messages but the reality is we cannot treat someone who is in a grave, so becoming knowledgeable about and carrying Narcan is the best first start to fighting this battle. I've written much about the topic of Narcan and why it's so important to have and carry. Please don't think this doesn't apply to you just because you don't directly know someone affected. Many opioid overdoses happen in public restrooms, on busses, at parties, in libraries - anywhere someone has access to prescription or illicit drugs/opioids and some privacy is a prime location to witness an overdose. If you know how to use a nasal allergy spray you can administer Narcan.
STIGMA. Even with the growing press about the opioid epidemic ravaging our country, on a neighborhood level it's not getting talked about by moms and dads, sisters, friends, managers, coaches. I was having a conversation in a coffee shop yesterday with a friend in recovery and several times during the hour or so we talked (openly about his recovery and about addiction) I saw those sitting around us glance slyly over their shoulder or around the side of their chair to check out the people having this discussion. People are still fairly stunned when I openly and unashamedly offer the fact that my son has been fighting this disease for years and overdosed twice from Fentanyl - especially if that setting happens to be a business one. We need to talk, people. It's not going to get better until we do.
HOPE. If you read the headlines you would be led to believe that this battle is a hopeless one where everyone dies. This is far from the truth and our story is one to demonstrate that. Sadly, if even just one person loses their life to an addiction it's too many and tragic beyond words, and for those in the midst of the fight, wondering if they can hang on one more day, they need hope. We need to see more in the way of resources that can help people move from active addiction to harm reduction to eventual treatment and long term remission/recovery. We need to give the families who are exhausted and living in terror that their loved one won't make it through the day a sense of hope and proof that there is a way out.
Please tell one person you know that today is a day to talk about the opioid epidemic and overdoses - it's a good conversation starter for those who may not know how to start talking about this subject. I promise if you do, you'll be surprised by the response you get. It's closer than you think.