Bob Wise and Debbie Vought presented to members a comprehensive effort to bring light to the opioid and prescription drug issues in our region. A special thanks to Patsy Smullin for her support of the program!
Debbie Vought informed our club that Oregon has a drug problem. It has the second highest rate of opioid abuse in the nation and is sixth amount the top 10 states for biggest drug problems. Debbie also presented the costs of drug addiction:
Social Cost
- Domestic violence
- Divorce
- Lower educational attainment
- Poverty
- Unemployment
Health Care Costs
- Increases in birth defects
- Treating unintentional injuries
- Driving accidents
- Higher rates of uninsured and Medicaid enrollment
- More Oregonians age 65 and up are landing in the hospital for opioid overdoses, abuse, dependence and adverse effects at a greater rate than any other state.
- Suicide
Economic Cost
- Loss of jobs
- Criminal justice system
- Emergency response
- Each Oregon resident, whether they are users or non-users, contributes roughly $155 per year to the opioid epidemic.
Most importantly, she reported that Naloxone is used to save lives by reversing or blocking the effects of opioids. She shared how to obtain Naloxone, as it is now available for bystander use in Oregon. It can be purchased from any pharmacy.
She wants everyone to STAY INFORMED, STAY CONNECTED AND STAY SAFE!
For more information regarding visit staysafeoregon.org.
