By Allan Ward, LCSW-R, Director of Behavioral Health Services, SNHC
When faced with an unprecedented crisis; be it physical, emotional, financial, familial, or otherwise, it becomes painfully obvious that we have to respond to the crisis with a force greater than the crisis itself. This crisis I speak of is the opiate crisis. The opiate crisis has left our community reeling and has touched everyone in different, but in similar ways as well. This crisis has strained the healthcare, behavioral health, social services and law enforcement systems that intervene to help those affected by this opiate crisis. The questions are many and the answers are few.
It is estimated that the opiate crisis takes one-hundred lives every single day of the week in this country. One-hundred lives-every single day. Think about that number for a minute. One-hundred brothers, sisters, daughters, sons, wives, husbands, mothers, fathers, uncles, aunts, boyfriends, girlfriends, friends. Each loss is like dominoes falling one after another through our families, homes and communities.
The overall life expectancy in this country has declined for three years in a row due to this opiate crisis. Be it oxycodone, hydocodone, morphine heroine, fentanyl, or carfentanil; the dangers are here in our communities and they are real and closer than you might think. Native American communities have been particularly hard hit by the opiate crisis. The rates of death are three times higher for Native Americans compared to others groups.
A community’s strengths are none greater than the people that make up their community. We can, and must believe this to be true. We also know that when one hurts, many hurt. When one cries; many cry. When one falls, many will also fall. BUT…when one rises, many will also rise. When one overcomes, many will overcome. And, when one rejoices, many will rejoice with them.
Do not underestimate the power of hope and action. I believe that goals plus motivation does equal success. We as individuals and collectively as a community must mobilize our resources and motivate ourselves to act, love and support. I believe that for every ounce we put into our response to this crisis, it will be returned tenfold.
This is the challenge-and the opportunity. We must stand as one and fight this epidemic. Supporting and helping those who need us becomes our mission. I have said countless times that the opposite of addiction is not sobriety…it is connection. Reconnecting those who struggle with opiate addiction is our business…all of ours. Be it Behavioral Health, Seneca Strong , Family Support Services or Prevention, our mission is clear. We are here and will work together, along with our leadership to end this crisis and reconnect our communities.
