Overdose Awareness Day Looks To Make A Difference In Addiction Stigma

Tri State Treatment Connections hopes that International Overdose Awareness Day will change people's perception on addiction and encourage more people to seek help. End Quote

If we want to stop overdoses, we need to create easier access to quality treatment & work with the families to help them understand the disease.

Philadelphia, PA-NJ (1888PressRelease) August 30, 2014 - "International Overdose Awareness Day is held on August 31st each year, as a way to commemorate those who have died as a result of a drug overdose, acknowledges the grief felt by their loved ones, and combat the stigma surrounding the disease of addiction.

"International Overdose Awareness Day is so important because it allows us to remember those we have lost to drug-related deaths, and turn that tragedy into an opportunity to educate the public in hopes of reducing the stigma of alcoholism and addiction," said Justin Johnson, CEO of Tri State Treatment Connections. "This day acts as a reminder to people that that the tragedy of overdose death is preventable and that family and friends should not wait to reach out and seek help for those struggling with an addiction because tomorrow is not guarantee when it comes to drugs like heroin."

According to the Center for Disease Control and Prevention, the number of deaths resulting from drug overdose has been rising steadily over the past two decades and is now the leading cause of death in the United States. Every day in the U.S., 113 people die as a result of drug overdose, and another 6,748 are treated in emergency departments for the misuse or abuse of drugs. In New Jersey alone, over 4,300 deaths due to overdose occurred between 2010 and 2013. Many states like New Jersey are working to changes things, but public perception is still a factor that is keeping addicts from getting life-saving care.

"There is still a stigma that surrounds addiction and I hope that someday the majority of people will recognize it as a disease that should be treated like any other one," said Johnson. "I have helped hundreds of people obtain treatment and recovery resources and still many that call me share their feelings of shame because they are addicts or have family members that are in active addiction. I believe that if we can change the public's perception, we can eliminate the stigma and get more people the treatment they need."

Johnson also stated that, "If we want to stop overdoses, we need to create easier access to quality treatment and work with the families to help them understand the disease and their role in it."

According to Johnson, there are currently two things that are starting to help prevent overdose. Johnson believes that the key will be to get Narcan, the prescription medicine that reverses an opioid overdose, into more peoples' hands and increase awareness of the Good Samaritan law that protects and encourages a person to call 911 in the case of overdose.

"The worst thing we can do is deny any one with an illness the treatment they need," said Kass Foster, a founding member of Parent to Parent, an advocacy and support group, and mother of Christian Foster who lost his battle with addiction at the age of 27. "Addiction is a brain disease. People with drug addiction need help not criticism. Stop the Stigma."

Johnson added that no family should have to suffer the loss of a loved one due to this disease and hopes that families realize that support and treatment options are available to everyone.

Parent to Parent helps the community at large through education, support, advocacy and assistance in finding detox, treatment and aftercare for those struggling with substance abuse. They strive to diffuse and end the stigma and discrimination associated with substance abuse disorders and work diligently to support the state of NJ providing a full continuum of care.

Tri State Treatment Connections is a national resource, with a network of treatment facilities for anyone seeking help from substance abuse disorders. Our network of quality facilities each have a different niche` for whatever you or your loved ones' specific needs are. Our passionate and caring representatives are responsible for facilitating the opportunity to find the quality help and care they deserve.

http://www.tristatetreatmentconnections.com

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