Last week President Obama raised awareness of a health crisis that has caused more than three out of five deaths. That crisis is prescription opioid overdoses. Americans are tragically dying from overdoses than traffic accidents and it is time we become more aware of this. By declaring Sept. 18-24 Prescription Opioid and Heroin Epidemic Awareness week, Obama is encouraging people to pause to remember all those we have lost to this fatal epidemic.
Opioid addiction is a disease that has impacted so many different people and has brought insurmountable pain to many families. This is why the federal government is reportedly bolstering efforts to expand treatment and opioid abuse prevention activities. Alongside law enforcement, they also plan on helping people get into treatment instead of jail.
But while this is good news, it has to start with the person realizing they need help. Once they know they have a problem, they will be more open to getting the help they truly need.
So if you know anyone abusing prescription painkillers, please intervene on that person in helping them seek treatment. By helping that person, you will not only be assisting them on the road to recovery but you will save a life from being a victim of this epidemic. For more information on prescription opioid and heroin abuse, visit www.drugabuse.gov.
