Opioid Abuse Prevention

To view the Health Communication Plan, please click here: Health Communication Plan

Opioid abuse is becoming an Epidemic:

In Ohio overdose rates are rising. We have previously ranked second in the nation for overdoses. More and more people are facing opioid addiction and the dangers that follow. Studies have shown that Ohio ranked 2nd highest rate of overdoses from drugs involving opioids in the U.S in 2017. In the U.S, Ohio is the fifth highest of having death from drug overdoses. The leading cause of injury-related death in Ohio is unintentional drug overdose. Ohio has a problem and the opioids are becoming a crisis.

Why should we care about opioid addiction and drug overdoses?

We should care about opioid addiction and drug overdoses because they are impacting multiple generations. Kids are entering foster cares at a rapid rate. These parents are no longer able to keep custody of their children because of their addiction. We need to care about these addictions, so they don’t continue growing. In our communities we all have an impact on one another. If a part of our community struggles, it does not take long for the rest of the community to follow.


How we can start impacting our communities:

Often, ideal ways to start impacting the community are easy. We can talk about it and raise awareness. Just because we are educated on the matter doesn’t mean others in our community are. We can support organizations that are trying to assist those struggling with addiction. We can do our part to support those struggling and lead them to correct resources as well.

Let’s help Ohio become healthy again!




References

J.MacKinnon, N., M.Boone, J., & L.Winstanley, E. (2017, February 8). Strategies and policies to address the opioid epidemic: A case study of Ohio. Retrieved October 5, 2019, from https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S1544319117300018.

National Institute on Drug Abuse. (2019, March 30). Ohio Opioid Summary. Retrieved October 5, 2019, from https://www.drugabuse.gov/opioid-summaries-by-state/ohio-opioid-summary.