Great Story of Recovery from Depression and Opioid Use Disorder
Great article today in the Philadelphia Inquirer by Aubrey Whelan about barriers to best practices treatment of the addicted.
Great article but missing some key elements: (1) People need to know that buprenorphine (Suboxone) and methadone have been proven by multiple studies to reduce the risk of relapses by a factor of 2-3 (1/2 to 2/3 of those prescribed these drugs suffer relapses compared to those who do not take these drugs). (2) If Narcotics Anonymous (NA) leadership and members stopped stigmatizing those who pursue prescriptions of Suboxone or methadone, more would do so and lives would be saved.
(3) If more owners and mangers of sober-living homes provided support for those with prescriptions for these proven drugs, more would do so and lives would be saved.
(4) Doctors need to overcome stigmas as well and negative experiences of patients who have abused these drugs. Doctors should adhere to scientifically proven best medical practices and focus on saving more lives.
5) Doctors who treat the addicted incur more costs and make less income than those who do not. This sacrifice is made worse by regulations of those who prescribe these live-saving drugs. De-regulation is needed so more doctors are encouraged to use best medical practices and save more lives.
Treatment facilities are shutting down due to financial losses caused by the Covid-19 crisis. This is a public health emergency that must be addressed by the PA legislature immediately!
Dealers are spiking every drug sold on the street with fentanyl, expanding their markets even more than before to every race, age, and socio-economic background. Everyone should be very concerned.
Delaware County Health Department Virtual Town Hall Meeting
Thank you to Dr. Monica Taylor, Delaware County Council, and the many other panelists for conducting the Public Health Department Virtual Town Hall today. It was very informative and professionally presented. Of course I learned a lot about our Covid-19 status but here are a couple things I did not know: (1) The 4th leading cause of death in the Delaware County, PA, Black population is homicide, over 80 percent of which is by gunshot, whereas homicide is the 19th leading cause of death in the white population. (2) Black babies die 3 times as often as white babies in Delco. These are astounding statistics from the updated 2020 version of the Johns Hopkins study of healthcare in Delco. Below is a slide indicating incidences of mental health disorders, addiction and overdoses, among other ailments, increased in Delco from the 2010 study to the 2020 version. These are all issues that will be addressed in a more focussed manner when the Delaware County Health Department is fully implemented during the next two years.
Levels of Anxiety, Depression, Alcohol and Drug Use Have Increased During Covid-19 Crisis
I donated to this worthy cause undertaken by a great organization...
Naloxone saves lives. Carry it! This app will help too!
Local Delaware County, PA GRASP Chapter Is Conducting Monthly Meetings
GRASP is a group of those mourning the loss of a loved one to an overdose. Call Maria to let her know you plan to attend (610-742-7603). This local (Delco) GRASP chapter meets the 1st Wednesday night monthly 7-8:30. Location changes monthly.