#opioidabuse

-Press Release, Granville County

At the October 15 meeting of the Granville County Board of Commissioners, Chairman Edgar Smoak proposed the formation of an Opioid and Addiction Task Force Steering Committee. Appointed to serve on this committee are Commissioner Smoak, Commissioner Tim Karan, Commissioner Tony Cozart, County Manager Mike Felts, Granville County Sheriff BrinWilkins and Granville-Vance Health Director Lisa Harrison.

The North Carolina Department of Justice reports that more people die in North Carolina of an accidental drug overdose than any other cause of accidental death. On average, five people die from drug overdose in our state every day, with the rates of overall overdose increasing by more than 400 percent between 2000 and 2016.*

The majority of the rise has been attributed to unintentional overdoses of opioids, used for pain relief. While these prescriptions are generally safe when taken for a short time – as prescribed by a doctor – they can be misused, leading to harmful effects which can cause lasting chemical changes in the brain, reduced heart rate, breathing suppression or loss of life. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, North Carolina is one of 26 states across the nation reporting significant overdose death rates from 2015 to 2016.

Data shared by Granville Vance Public Health indicates that in Granville County alone, more than two million opioid pills were dispensed to residents in 2017, with 37 emergency visits by county residents that same year as a result of prescription misuse. Ten deaths have also been attributed to unintentional opioid overdose in Granville in 2017. A county-by-county report provided by the North Carolina Association of County Commissioners (NCACC) indicates that there were two Granville County deaths in 2010, five in 2011, eight in 2012, four in 2013, seven in 2014 and five in 2015, all related to misuse of opioids.

“Even a single death resulting from this epidemic is one too many,” Comm. Edgar Smoak remarked.

The purpose of this local steering committee is to take a closer look at the issue in Granville County and to explore ways it can be addressed. The first meeting, chaired by Comm. Tim Karan, is scheduled for Thursday, November 8 at 10 a.m.

*North Carolina State Center for Health Statistics, 2017

If you live in Vance County or the surrounding area, then you know that opioid abuse, addiction and overdose is a real issue.

Tuesday at Vance Granville Community College, leaders and interested parties gathered to discuss awareness and prevention. It was put on by Granville Vance Public Health and other agencies.

There are stats everywhere which show the sharp increase in overdose deaths nationally too, especially when you look at heroin and the misuse of prescription drugs. You won’t search long before you see headlines that drug overdoses kill more people annually that car crashes or gun violence.

At the forum Tuesday, Dr. Anderson Brown with Cardinal Innovations spoke and said it all starts with prevention. It’s at different, earlier ages and with different outcomes that we see young adults becoming addicted now.

Dr. Shauna Guthrie, the Granville Vance Public Health Medical Director, said the right amount of prescription is where we need to start. Just a few pills can cause a young to middle age adult to be addicted.

Over prescribed drugs, in terms of the number of pills given for example just in an initial prescription, are a problem. Problems arise when the intended recipient of the drug uses too much and also when the pills are not completely used and then fall into the wrong hands.

Dr. Lawrence Greenblatt, the Northern Piedmont Community Care Medical Director, said there are patients out there that need prescriptions but to a certain point. Cutting back on the amount of prescriptions is something that is needed.

A big issue is how early children are affected, including the fact that some children are born with a drug addiction because of the habits of the mother. In other cases, it was stated that children as young as 10 years old now experiment with drugs.

What are we doing locally? Educating youngsters at an early age, making sure treatment is available for those in need and making the public aware of treatment options.

There is improved access with 24 hour hotlines like 1-800-939-5911, which is Cardinal Innovations 24-hour crisis line.

There are more drop boxes for unused medications. Most any local pharmacy has one or will take the unused meds during normal business hours. October 28th is National Drug take back day. https://takebackday.dea.gov/

Resources are being provided, and there are free training options. Nidhi Sachdeva, with the N.C. Division of Public Health, works closely with the local community.

Daymark Recovery – 5 Counties but focus on Warren, Granville and Vance.

https://www.daymarkrecovery.org/locations/vance-center

Vance Recovery – all age groups

https://www.facebook.com/Vance-Recovery-951367328271418/

Back on Track – Group Therapy, Transportation, Medicaid.

https://www.substancerehabcenter.com/outpatient-substance-abuse-treatment/north-carolina-nc/?city=Henderson

Mens Halfway House – Staffed 24/7

https://www.substancerehabcenter.com/halfway-house/North-Carolina-NC/?city=Henderson

Tag Archive for: #opioidabuse

Granville Task Force Steering Committee Formed to Address Opioid Epidemic

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