Opioid Crisis Reminders

The opioid crisis is a serious issue affecting many people across the country. Opioids are powerful pain-relieving drugs, but they can also be very dangerous when misused. Some common opioids include prescription painkillers like oxycodone, hydrocodone, and fentanyl, as well as illegal drugs like heroin. These drugs can be highly addictive and can lead to
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NC Attorney General Asking For More Effort To End Opioid Crisis

WSOC-TV has published a segment on NC Attorney General Josh Stein who is aiming for additional funding to address the ongoing opioid crisis. Mr. Stein indicates that there are simply not enough treatment centers across the state of North Carolina to adequately meet the needs of those addicted to opioids. The Hope Act is a
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How Addiction in America Exploded

The New Yorker has published a fascinating, in-depth article on how the Sackler family (owners of Perdue Pharmaceutical) made billions of dollars selling Oxycontin throughout America. While effective pain management was, and is, a very important medical consideration, scores of people were introduced to a drug that was heralded as relatively “safe”, but which opened
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The Case for Medication Assisted Recovery

Historically, abstinence-based recovery has sought to establish that recovering addicts abstain from all use of illicit substances including alcohol. This model of treatment was originally rooted in the Alcoholics Anonymous 12 Step Program which by design was intended to address alcohol addiction specifically. That program has been extremely popular and effective in helping alcohol dependent
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Attorney Struggled With Addiction

There is an interesting life story and profile of addiction in the New York Times regarding an attorney and family man who finally succumbed to chronic drug use. Peter was a high powered Silicon Valley attorney who was well respected and capable, but who hid a powerful addiction for years before dying of a systemic
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Catawba County Opium Poppy Plant Bust

A local Fox 8 news article just revealed that Catawba County law enforcement authorities have uncovered a large poppy plant operation. Poppy plants are used to create opium which in turn is used to make heroin. The poppy plants had an estimated value of $500 million. State Bureau of Investigation authorities and local deputies wore
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CDC Point To Rapid Opioid Addiction

A Newsweek article addresses a finding by the CDC (Centers for Disease Control & Prevention) which indicates individuals receiving an opioid prescription can develop an opioid dependency “within a few days of initial use”. The associated study was conducted at the University of Arkansas for Medical Sciences, and was based on examination of patient records
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A Denver Health Clinic Treating 600 with Methadone

Like most every place in the United States, the state of Colorado is also experiencing a local opioid crisis. In Denver, many people are in search of opioid treatment. In the video linked here, Denver Health is profiled as an area methadone clinic that is presently treating 600 patients who had developed severe opioid addiction.
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Shocking Overdose Situation in Kentucky

As we examine the opioid crisis in America, it is important to take note of trends in both the prevalence of opioid abuse as well as progress in providing education and treatment to address the problem. CNN reported that during a 32 hour span of time between Wednesday and Friday of last week, emergency personnel
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Heroin Overdoses Behind The Wheel Are Increasing

The News & Record published a recent story about an increase in heroin overdoses occurring while operating a motor vehicle. This has resulted in serious car crashes around the Piedmont Triad community. In some instances, small children were in the backseat of the car and in jeopardy of severe injury while the driver overdosed and
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