During the past 12 months’ conversation locally has been directed toward an increase of use of opiates for recreational purposes. Heroin is a part of the totals listed below. Because it is not regulated one batch can be more potent than another batch and users can use the same volume of the drug and receive very different effects. Prescription drugs do not have that complication because the manufacturing process is regulated.
The Allegany County Health Department presented data recorded by the Western Maryland Region Medical Center over the past three years on non-fatal overdoses:
• 2014 — 210 non-fatal overdoses, with 39 percent being opioid-related.
• 2015 — 291 non-fatal overdoses, 53 percent opioid-related.
• 2016 — 272 non-fatal overdoses, 73 percent opioid-related.
In the chart above which was published in the Cumberland Times-News in today’s edition, we see by the numbers opiate use is increasing. As I have listened to the conversation over the past year I have sought an answer to this question, “What can we do to decrease people desiring to use opiates on a recreational basis?”
I wish I had an answer to share with you. The problem is I can’t think of an alternative to offer people when they turn to substance abuse. I feel they are trying to escape from some reality in their life. I know there are no “quick escapes” from the problems we encounter in life. In high numbers people are trying to escape, and sometimes either intentionally or unintentionally the results are deadly.
Every week I listen to people describe in detail how the illegal use of drugs is tearing their family apart. Family members want the user to stop using. They are frustrated when their pleading does not work. When they employ “tough love” and hold the user accountable for their actions, most of the time the person keeps on using. This happens even when the family tells the person they are no longer welcome in the family home. We pray for the user to see the light, get help, and leave the dependency that drug use creates. This crisis is truly one we must find a way to address effectively or it will take over our society. I am open to hearing any solutions that we can utilize in working toward this goal.