‘IT AFFECTS US ALL’
Fentanyl is a potent, addictive and deadly synthetic opioid. The drug’s use and related overdoses have soared in recent years, leading society and schools in particular to try to save lives by educating people about fentanyl and making medicine like nalox
WE MUST ACT TO SAVE YOUNG PEOPLE FROM ADDICTION
As a survivor of addiction’s effects, I know firsthand the devastating impact that substance abuse can have on individuals and their families. Addiction does not discriminate based on race or demographic, affecting every corner of society in various forms. Addiction expert Dr. Gabor Maté defines addiction as a complex process that is manifested by any behavior that provides temporary pleasure but leads only ultimately toward negative consequences.
I’ve been sober for more than 35 years and found my purpose through sobriety. Today, I am an addiction and family crisis counselor and CEO of Confidential Recovery, an outpatient treatment center in San Diego. As a native, the city has always had a special place in my heart; I know a lot about this city, which unfortunately includes its increasingly alarming drug problem.
The 2022 San Diego County Meth
Strike Force Report indicates that methamphetamine remains a significant problem in the region. There has been a 179 percent increase in unintentional methamphetamine-caused deaths between 2017 (271 deaths) to 2021 (756 deaths), with fentanyl contributing. According to the same report, 50 percent of the methamphetamine-caused deaths in San Diego County involved fentanyl.
Sadly, the population affected by harmful substances continues to get younger every year, with our youth falling victim to drug abuse at a staggering rate. Research conducted by UCLA shows that the rate of overdose deaths among teenagers in the United States nearly doubled in 2020, the first year of the COVID pandemic, and increased by an additional 20 percent in the first half of 2021 compared to the 10 years preceding the COVID-19 pandemic.
These increases occurred despite overall stable rates of drug use during the same period. It’s time for us to take action to protect our young ones from substance addiction and deliver a future free from its damaging clutches.
It is equally important to cultivate open conversations in our schools regarding drugs and alcohol at a level appropriate for each age group. By providing a space for everyone to share concerns freely, especially for kids pressured by peers through social media channels into specific activities and behaviors, including drug use or experimentation, we can help prevent drug abuse among young people.
We must take steps towards creating a world where children can thrive unhindered by drugs or any associated risks they bring. I urge public and private schools across America at all educational levels to take a stand against opioid addiction by making Narcan kits available on their campuses. This life-saving medication, administered as a nasal spray, rapidly reverses an overdose and helps fight the ongoing battle of drug dependency.
A recent Narcan distribution program implemented across Massachusetts yielded impressive results — with an 11 percent decrease in overdoses within communities that adopted it. Keeping these resources accessible is proving highly effective for saving lives from preventable deaths due to substance abuse disorder.
Addressing the dangers of substance abuse, especially opioids and their long-term effects, is critical for our children. Parents must have open conversations with their kids about this issue, providing them with simple, accessible resources that underscore potential risks. Being educated on these topics helps create awareness among children around peer pressures, which might lead to opioid or drug use in social circles, and how young people navigate coverage about illicit drug use in media outlets responsibly without succumbing to influences towards such activities.
Investing in continued education empowers us all to win the fight. Addiction is a severe medical condition that requires treatment and support to overcome. It does not distinguish between age, race or socioeconomic status — it affects us all at some level. As individuals and society at large, we have the power to protect our young people from its detrimental effects by banding together in an effort for change.
Let’s join forces so tomorrow’s generations can reap the benefits of addiction prevention today.
Research conducted by UCLA shows that the rate of overdose deaths among teenagers in the United States nearly doubled in 2020.