Pubdate: Sun, 11 May 2014
Source: Journal-News (Hamilton, OH)
Copyright: 2014 Cox Ohio Publishing
Contact:   http://www.journal-news.com/
Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/915
Author: Hannah Poturalski

SURGING HEROIN USE AT HEART OF OPIATE ABUSE TASK FORCE

BUTLER COUNTY - A grassroots effort to tackle the growing use of
heroin in the community hosted a day-long workshop Saturday for
affected family and friends.

The Butler County Opiate Abuse Task Force, formed last September,
brought in speakers to Miami University Hamilton Downtown to address
the physiology of addiction and how it impacts the body, emergency
treatment for overdoses, as well as offer up tips for better
communication and advocacy skills.

Susan Lipnickey, chair of the opiate abuse task force and a Miami
professor, said the task force meets monthly and is broken into three
areas: friends and family; treatment providers; and community and educati
on.

"You have to fight it on all fronts," Lipnickey said.

Dr. Jeffrey Goldsmith, a psychiatrist at Cincinnati Veterans Affair
Medical Center, spoke about the physiology of addiction and how
America has a "culture of denial."

"The issue is we know what we're not wanting to pay attention to,"
Goldsmith said to the crowd of 30.

Goldsmith estimated 700,000 people in America are using heroin, with
another 2.5 million using other non-prescription opioids. He said
there are now 19,000 accidental deaths each year from prescription
pill use.

"The stigma is phenomenal," Goldsmith said. "If it's lethal and bad
news then we don't have to think about it. This task force is so
important because it makes us talk and be aware."

Captain Todd Day, with the Middletown Division of Fire, addressed the
opiate abuse task force about his department's use of the drug Narcan,
used to reverse the effects of an overdose, during emergency responses
to overdoses.

Day said the fire department's use of Narcan has been on the rise in
Middletown for the past several years. He said 75 amps of Narcan have
been used so far this year. That rate was 67 at this time last year;
and was only in the 40 range in 2012.

Day said legislation in 17 states now allow the use of Narcan as an
antidote to opioid overdoses.

"We don't want this to moderate their usage," Day said. "It's another
tool to use through the addiction journey."

Goldsmith said the motivation to fight the illness of addiction is
personal and different for each person. He said interactions with
family and friends can help strengthen and enhance that motivation.

Ed Green, of Fairfield, said he's been a member of the task force
since it began last year. He has two sons who are addicts, and said
drug abuse has affected his family for 15 years.

"I want to take my knowledge and develop a message to help others,"
Green said, of his hope for the task force. "The road blocks are
tremendous."

Green said while he can't control his sons' drug use and didn't cause
their addiction, he feels responsible to help others find avenues to
treatment.

"When they first started using, I didn't know where to turn," Green
said. "I don't want to see other families struggle."

The task force is striving for greater community awareness on the
issue, more access to treatment and detox centers, and prevention
education in schools, Lipnickey said.

The opiate abuse task force was created after the Butler County
Alcohol and Drug Addiction Services Board received a $25,000 grant
from the state to identify a special project or need, said John
Bohley, director of the ADAS board.

Jill Henry, of Millville, also a member of the task force, said she's
gotten involved in heroin awareness efforts in recent years because
her 24-year-old daughter is a recovering heroin addict.

Henry said she'd like to see more support groups established for
family members, in order to better equip them for helping an addict
through the addiction and recovery process.

"I just want to learn everything I can," Henry said, to help educate
others. "It's overwhelming. =C2=85 You don't know what to do first to hel
p
someone."

The task force will meet next at 3:30 p.m. May 20 with a location to
be determined. The group meets the third Tuesday of each month. For
more detail, contact Lipnickey at 513-529-9247 or  ---
MAP posted-by: Matt