The first-ever Surgeon General’s Report on Alcohol, Drugs, and Health has brought to light the alarming fact that over 27 million people in the United States reported current use of illicit drugs or misuse of prescription drugs, and over 66 million people (nearly a quarter of the adult and adolescent population) reported binge drinking in the past month.
In this 2015 report, substance use disorders affected 20.8 million Americans — almost 8 percent of the adolescent and adult population. That number is similar to the number of people who suffer from diabetes, and more than 1.5 times the annual prevalence of all cancers combined (14 million). Of the 20.8 million people with a substance use disorder in 2015, 15.7 million were in need of treatment for an alcohol problem in 2015 and nearly 7.7 million needed treatment for an illicit drug problem.
Medford Township is not immune to this crisis. In 2016 alone, Medford has suffered four overdose deaths, and public safety personnel and family have administered at least 12 known Narcan doses to reverse the effects of an overdose.
Opiate, heroin, alcohol and other drug misuse and related disorders are major public health challenges that are taking an enormous toll on individuals, families and society. Neighborhoods and communities as a whole are also suffering as a result of alcohol- and drug-related crime and violence, the increased costs of health care associated with substance misuse, and the increased cost to Medford’s Police, Fire and EMS Departments who are called out in response to overdoses.
Most residents know someone with a substance use disorder, and many know someone who has lost or nearly lost a family member as a consequence of substance misuse. Yet, at the same time, few other medical conditions are surrounded by as much shame and misunderstanding as substance use disorders.
In order to bring local attention and action to these issues, the Township Council’s Neighborhood Services Advisory Committee (NSAC), the Medford Municipal Drug Alliance and the Medford Police Department are hosting a free presentation, “Current Trends-Opiates & Marijuana Extractions,” facilitated by John Kriger of Kriger Consulting.
Newly updated, this highly acclaimed session offers an impactful overview the most up-to-date information available today on adolescent behavioral trends, focusing intensely on the two primary issues facing parents, and professionals today; opiates and extractions. Learn the most current information on these two high-risk behaviors, and how they are drastically changing the risk potential for every family. Discover the risks, various sources of information and what every parent and professional is up against.
Here are just a few of the questions to be answered in this program:
1. Why is fentanyl so dangerous?
2. Are those who use these products at greater risk, than in the past; and if so why?
3. What are Budder, Shatter, Dab, Flakka and the Deep Web?
4. How are people becoming addicted to opiates and what are the risks?
5. What is Narcan and can it actually protect someone from an overdose?
These presentations promise to be one of the most enlightening, “edutaining” and informative programs participants will ever benefit from on this topic. Please plan on attending to get more information on this crisis and take advantage of the opportunity to get answers to the questions you have always wanted to ask.
The presentation will be held on Wednesday, Dec. 7 from 7:30 p.m. to 9 p.m. at the Medford Public Safety Building, located at 91 Union Street. Participation is free and pre-registration is not required. The session will be live video-streamed via the Medford Township website (http://www.medfordtownship.com/content/233/243/967/default.aspx) and the video will also be archived and available for viewing anytime via the same link for the convenience of those unable to attend.
Medford officials also remind residents that they may dispose of unused and/or expired medications in the Project Medicine Drop Box which is located in the lobby of the Public Safety Building. The Drop Box is available 24/7/365.
