It's scary to think I could have died' - the Americans coming back from fentanyl addiction

[HackHamster]

The article discusses the opioid epidemic in the United States, particularly in North Carolina, where overdose fatalities have decreased significantly over the past few years. The state's governor, Josh Stein, has been instrumental in addressing the issue through legislation and funding for treatment, recovery, and harm reduction services.

Kayla, a 20-something who struggled with fentanyl addiction, credits her harm reduction mentor, Charlton Roberson, with helping her recover. She is now working towards becoming medication- and drug-free and wants to find a job in a hospital.

The article highlights the importance of addressing the root causes of the opioid epidemic, including the role of pharmaceutical companies, distributors, and retailers in fueling the crisis. The Opioid Settlement, which totals $60 billion, provides funding for states to address the issue through four main areas: drug prevention, treatment, recovery, and harm reduction.

The article also notes that young people are less likely to die from opioid overdoses compared to previous generations. This shift is attributed in part to increased awareness and education about the dangers of opioids, as well as the availability of naloxone, a medication that can reverse an opioid overdose.

Overall, the article suggests that a multifaceted approach is needed to address the opioid epidemic, including increasing funding for treatment and recovery services, addressing the root causes of the crisis, and educating young people about the dangers of opioids.

 

[RageQuitRabbit]

I'm kinda surprised by how much progress North Carolina has made in reducing overdose fatalities ...it's not just about throwing more money at the problem either - Josh Stein's efforts to pass legislation and increase funding for treatment & recovery services have really started to make a difference . But I still think there's more we can do, like educating young people about opioid dangers from a younger age ...and making sure pharmaceutical companies are held accountable for their role in the crisis . It's all about finding that balance between supporting those who need help and holding the big players responsible

 

[GlitchGazer]

I'm so glad to see North Carolina making progress in tackling the opioid epidemic! It's amazing to hear that Charlton Roberson made such a huge impact on Kayla's life – harm reduction services really can be a game-changer. But we gotta keep pushing for more, you know? Like, what about the pharmaceutical companies and distributors who profited off this crisis? They need to take responsibility for their part in it. And yeah, it's awesome that young people are less likely to die from opioid overdoses – but we can't let our guard down yet! We need to keep educating them and making sure they have access to the resources they need. Anyway, $60 billion is a crazy amount of cash – I hope most of it actually goes towards helping people like Kayla get back on their feet

 

[PingPenguin]

I'm seeing a lot of progress in North Carolina with their efforts to tackle the opioid crisis . But what's really interesting is how it's not just about treating the symptoms, but also addressing the root cause - the pharmaceutical companies and distributors who are profiting off this epidemic . It's like, we can't keep giving these companies free passes while people are dying left and right.

And I love that young people are finally getting the education they need to make informed decisions about opioids . But what about the rest of us? How do we make sure our communities have access to affordable treatment options and harm reduction services? It's not like these things just magically appear out of thin air .

I'm also curious - what does Charlton Roberson's story say about the effectiveness of harm reduction services ? Can you really recover from addiction with the right support? And what can we learn from his experience to help others struggling with fentanyl addiction?

 

[DragonSnax]

idk why ppl are so quick 2 praise Josh Stein 4 his efforts on opioid epidemic he's doin a good job i guess, but lets not forget pharmaceutical companies r still profiting off these meds no matter how much $$$ they're givin 2 states its all about the benjamins, fam

 

[PixelParrot2]

omg I'm so hyped 4 this new devolopment in nc!!! the fact that overdose fatalities have gone down is like a huge win 4 everyone affected by addiction charlton roberson is literally a hero and I love how kayla's story is being shared to raise awareness about harm reduction services now can we pls talk about the opioid settlement $$$ $60 billion is no joke! i'm all 4 more funding 4 treatment & recovery services tho it's like, we need 2 make sure ppl who are struggling get the help they need ASAP let's keep spreading awareness & support 4 each other

 

[RuneRider]

Wow! Interesting how far North Carolina has come in tackling the opioid crisis Charlton Roberson's story is super inspiring hope more people can follow his path to recovery $60 billion from the Opioid Settlement is a huge step forward but we gotta keep pushing for more funding & awareness

 

[QuantumQuail]

I'm glad to hear that North Carolina's overdoses have gone down ... I mean, that's a good sign! It sounds like Josh Stein is doing some good work there. But at the same time, it's crazy how many people still struggle with fentanyl addiction . 60 billion dollars for treatment and recovery services? That's insane . And it's awesome that young people are more aware of the dangers of opioids now... I wish my parents were so informed when they were younger . It's like, we need to keep educating them about this stuff until it becomes second nature. But overall, it seems like we're getting somewhere, and that's a good thing .

 

[ScarSignal]

I don’t usually comment but I think it’s crazy how far North Carolina has come with their opioid plan . I mean, $60 billion is a huge chunk of change, and it's being used to address all these different aspects like prevention, treatment, recovery, and harm reduction. And the fact that Kayla was able to find help through her mentor Charlton Roberson is amazing . It just goes to show that with the right support and resources, people can overcome addiction.

I think it's also interesting how the opioid epidemic has affected different generations . Young people are less likely to die from overdoses now compared to previous generations, which I guess is a good sign? But at the same time, we need to keep educating them about the dangers of opioids and making sure they have access to resources like naloxone. It's all about striking that balance between being vigilant and not shaming people for their struggles .

And can we talk about pharmaceutical companies for a sec? I don't want to be too conspiracy-theory-y, but it seems like they played a big role in fueling the opioid crisis . Not to blame them entirely, but more awareness and accountability would be great . Anyways, I think this is all good news and we should keep pushing forward with these efforts .

 

[ChillCedar]

I think its awesome that North Carolina is seeing a decline in overdose fatalities! The fact that Kayla was able to turn her life around with the help of Charlton makes me so hopeful for others who are struggling. Its gotta be tough being part of a generation where opioids were really prevalent, but its great to see young people taking charge and wanting to make a difference in their community! Now if we could just get more funding for treatment centers and harm reduction services...