Erasing the stigma associated with opioid addiction

Newsrooms across the commonwealth have spent years documenting the opioid crisis in their own communities. But now, in the special project State of Emergency: Searching for Solutions to Pennsylvania’s Opioids Crisis, we are marshalling resources to spotlight what Pennsylvanians are doing to try to reverse the soaring number of overdose deaths.

WITF is releasing more than 60 stories, videos and photos throughout July. This week, you will find stories about initial response and how addition affects families.

 

(Chambursburg) — Franklin County has been making strides in combating the stigma associated with opioid addiction. From support groups, to medication-assisted therapies, to recovery houses, to other programs developed in the spirit of defeating the opioid crisis, these resources are likely key factors behind the number of fatal overdoses in the county dropping from 2016 to 2017.

District Attorney Matt Fogal described two forms of stigma. One originates with the addicts themselves: distrust of law enforcement and other authorities. The other comes from the community: judgment.

Chief Probation Officer Dan Hoover said he has seen results from his department’s efforts, including establishing a drug court and job programs and supporting the recovery home Noah’s House. Addicted offenders who relapse are more likely to come forward for help, rather than hiding and getting in more trouble both personally and legally.

‘”I won’t say they’re banging on our doors telling us they’ve messed up, but in the past if they used controlled substance, they’ve denied until the earth stood still,” Hoover said.

Increased education efforts have exposed more people to the reality of opioid addiction. People who need help gain the courage to speak up.

“If people are embarrassed about what’s happening in their family, and the bad thing that everybody is absorbed with in the family, you don’t confront it, it inevitably gets worse,” Fogal said. “Today, getting worse isn’t just getting in trouble, or losing a job. It’s life and death now.

“For me, I think it’s just so people will recognize that there is an opportunity to seek treatment without really any criminal repercussions like we have had historically.”

Treatment Court Coordinator Sue Davis added: “If everyone’s asked, most people have someone in their lives that has been affected by addiction. So, we have empathy and can maybe relate a little bit more.”

Groups of county officials and advocates known as the Overdose Task Force gather every month to discuss their next step to breaking down the opioid crisis. For some, it’s personal.

Deputy Coroner Ted Reed has a son in recovery and sees addiction in every fatal overdose he comes across in his job.

“My wife and I, every chance we get, we put the word out. There’s so many people- they say, ‘I’m ashamed. I don’t want anybody to know it’s in my family,’” Reed said. “If you really knew how many families are out there that have this, it’s kinda scary. And they’re just hiding behind a rock.”

But more change is needed.  Lindsay Walls, who lost her brother to addiction and now leads a local chapter in the support group network GRASP, has already seen and contributed to stigma changing efforts. But the fight isn’t over.

“I think we still have a lot of room for improvement,” Walls said. “And it’s not something that’s going to happen overnight, it’s going to take a long period of time.”