 I am sure you have heard about the overdoses being on the rise. I mean, we all did. We have seen it firsthand. We have not only seen it but are trying to do our best to help, working overtime to reach those who are suffering and yet … CDC reported drug overdose deaths in the United States hit a new record high. More than 96,000 amazing souls were lost in the 12-month period ending March 2021. Some of these were our friends, our children, our loved ones, for whom we begged the hospitals, the rehabs, the doctors to keep them, to treat them, to help them to get better. And sometimes, even after all that stress, after going through all that hell, getting them through treatment, through medical and psychological brainwash, they came out to the world where there are no jobs, no housing, no forgiveness, no compassion because of why? Because so many people still, so many still just don’t have a clue! But you can help to change this? Join us at our next CT Recovery Advocacy Project team meeting https://us02web.zoom.us/meeting/register/tZEqfuuorDguGdeepYe5A77ziliSXf1sgARs Now, let’s get back to the scary data part. Just look at it. The numbers keep going up with no end in sight.  Yes, we all know that last year has been an incredibly difficult, uncertain, and stressful for many people. We definitely expected the increase in drug consumption and rise in overdoses, due to added complexity try to access the already maxed out treatment system, limitation in sober-living housing capacity, lack of face-to-face recovery support groups, services, etc., etc. We totally expect things to get worse. But did we expected this tragic surge in losing our people to get that bad? No. At least I didn’t, and I don’t think many of us were at all prepared for any of this. Let’s look at our own state of Connecticut.  Not to add more to this already morbid situation, there are new and emerging substances: lethal combinations of xylazine (an animal tranquilizer) with fentanyl which resulted in 141 deaths in 2020 and continue to be a problem in 2021 also. Between January and the 1st week of September 2021, there were already 192 deaths involving a fentanyl+xylazine combination. How about we think about the most impacted age group? 70% of overdose deaths occurred to individuals between ages 25-54. What’s so significant about that? Most of them were probably parents. Meaning, there are now so many children left without a mom or a dad or both, who have very likely endured considerable trauma and are in dire need of immediate help.  My heart aches seeing this, and I hope yours does too. So many things are broken, and substances are getting more and more lethal. it is definitely going to take a village to turn this epidemic around. But looking at the above data, I do see something else. I see hope in recovery movement. The historic information has clearly shown that when a whole bunch of recovery advocates got together, started pressing our government officials, demanded change, and good things started to happen. In 2018 for the first time in years overdoses started to decline, and that’s hope. We have many amazing organizations in CT and hundreds of incredible individuals, let’s finally unite, work together and find real holistic solutions. We need you; we need your friends; we need all of us! So, join us at our next CT Recovery Advocacy Project team meeting on Oct 26th 7pm. Please register in advance to receive an email with ZOOM call information: https://us02web.zoom.us/meeting/register/tZEqfuuorDguGdeepYe5A77ziliSXf1sgARs You do not need to know anything to get involved. We will work together, learn together, and no doubt make a difference together. This work does not compete with anything that you may be already doing. To the contrary, getting involved in this initiative may help you or your organization to achieve successful results by collaboration and gaining larger/louder voice organized by our team! “There are no leaders in RAP, only organizers. Each of us has unique set of skills, experiences, and strengths; and together we can do amazing things!” The Recovery Advocacy Project (RAP) is a network of people and organizations across the country advocating for addiction recovery policies. RAP is committed to giving people in recovery from all pathways, family members, and supporters of recovery. RAP is working to build a visible and effective constituency in demand of community and public policy-based solutions in response to America’s long standing addiction crisis. |
Oct 20, 2021 – Overdose Deaths at Record High – 96K
