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By Erin Smith
Faith-based leaders gathered on Saturday at Bladen Community College to learn more about opioids, and to begin a Countywide Opioid Sunday event in September.
As September is National Recovery Month, which is set aside to raise awareness and understanding of substance abuse and mental health disorders, those gathered Saturday decided to begin planning for an event in Bladen County. The Countywide Opioid Sunday will be a time for churches to raise awareness about substance abuse disorder and its impacts on families. However, a date was not announced.
William Sellers with Eastpointe MCO said, when it comes to pain, “We want a quick fix.”
Sellers also explained that medical insurance policies don’t always pay for physical therapy for those suffering from pain, as it is costly. Instead, the insurance company will pay for medication for the pain as it is often less expensive than therapy.
Sellers also told those gathered that the United has the highest number of opioids consumed in the world, with more than 40,000 doses per one million people. Greece has the lowest number of opioids consumed.
“You can’t have that level of use without fallout. Pain killers are killing our families,” said Sellers.
He shared a story of a Pharmacist, who said he cannot serve his customers due to changes in the laws. He said wholesalers will no longer supply the amount of opioid medications he needs in order to serve customers with legitimate needs. Customers with legitimate needs can no longer obtain the medications they need to manage their pain.
Sellers said when things of this nature begin to occur, that is when situations begin to arise such as medications disappearing from a family member’s medicine cabinet. He also noted that with the reduction in the availability of prescription medications, people are going back to using heroin.
Sellers also explained how the brain is affected by the misuse of these medications. He said once a person introduces substances that change the chemistry in the brain such as medications, it changes everything. He explained that when the person stops taking the substance, withdrawal is the punishment.
Sellers also briefly touched on the fact that in Bladen County, during the period from 2012 through 2016, there were 15.2 to 15.7 unintentional poisoning deaths. The average for the same period in North Carolina was 12.2 overdoses.
He also touched on the fact that the person begins to build up a tolerance to the medications, and it takes a larger dose to produce any type of effect.
Sellers said help is available by calling Eastpointe MCO at 800-813-6109. He said there is a Mobile Crisis Team which will respond if needed to the location of the caller. He also said there is one facility based crisis unit, and you do not have to have an appointment. It is located beside Southeastern Regional Hospital in Lumberton.
“We can connect you with a provider to get services,” said Sellers.
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“Please keep in mind we have got to end the stigma. People are dying because of the stigma,” said Sellers. “We’ve got to promote that it is okay to be aware and to be safe.”
Sellers noted that “We’ve got to do a better job talking about the issues.”
Friar Bill Eberle, who serves with the Brunswick County Opioid Task Force, spoke as well. He stated, we must change our attitudes and thinking about the crisis.
“When we focus, we can change attitudes,” said Eberle.
He reminded those present that Jesus gives everyone a picture of a forgiving father.
“Substance abuse disorder is not going to go away,” said Eberle. “When people don’t see addiction for what it is, they shame the person or try emotional blackmail.”
Eberle said that stigmas and condemnation do not help, but instead only push the person to further isolate themselves from everyone.
He recommend to everyone present to read the book Dream Land, which outlines the crisis from its beginning.
Eberle also noted, “We can’t tell people to change rather we have to invite them into it. It takes a community to rescue an addict.”
He also discussed mental health first aid and the need for support for people after they have been through rehabilitation programs.
Testimonies were also shared. Joyce Owen, who lost her son Brandon Owen, to an overdose, shared her story. Through her tears, she related Brandon’s struggles with addiction. She said he fought for seven years to regain his sobriety. Owen said one fateful morning the family received a phone call that Brandon had died of an overdose.
A neighbor of Owen also recounted her own struggles with addiction. She explained she was raised in a military family and her addiction started while she was residing in California. She said she eventually managed to regain her sobriety and has remained sober for seven years.
Another testimony was shared regarding a young man who was invited to church. By the end of the service, the congregation learned the gentleman was suicidal and that being invited to church that day had saved his life.
Information regarding resources was also shared with those in attendance. If you know someone who is in need of help, call the Eastpointe MCO help line at 800-913-6109.
Watch the video from the conference below:
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