Understanding Addiction

 

A recent publication about the Alcohol, Drug Addiction & Mental Health Services Board (ADM ) was completed by Akron Life Magazine. It includes stories about recovery, education for the next generation, a local resources recovery guide, and what you can do to help. The following article, “Understanding Addiction,” is from the Recovery It’s Worth the Fight, edition.

Fighting a public health issue like opiate addiction takes cooperation. Organizations must come together at the local, state, and national levels to help prevent and reduce substance abuse in communities. At the local level, there are many initiatives to inform and assist Summit County residents trying to help loved ones stay safe.

Reducing Opiate Abuse in Summit County

The Summit County Opiate Task Force is comprised of over 200 Community Stakeholders representing medical, law enforcement, business, treatment providers, the courts, social services, and persons in recovery. Together, they are addressing this epidemic collaboratively in order to educate, inform, and advocate. Community problems require community solutions!

Over the last decade, we have seen a tremendous increase everywhere in street heroin. More recently this problem has been compounded by the diversion (sharing or sale) of prescription opiates (Oxycontin, hydrocodone, and fentanyl).