The initial numbers aren’t as shocking as we think they are.
Most of us know someone who has battled substance abuse.
After six months, Columbus Regional Health’s Treatment and Support Center is on pace to see nearly 900 unique patients in its first year — more than seven times higher than its initial projection of 126 patients and 50% higher than CRH’s five-year estimate of 600 patients.
As of Feb. 5, around half of patients at TASC had sought treatment for heroin or other opioid addictions, nearly 40% for methamphetamine and around 10% for alcohol.
While the program has attracted more individuals than expected, TASC’s 17 staff members haven’t turned a single person away.
TASC isn’t the only organization seeing the upsurge.
Launched in 2017, Alliance for Substance Abuse Progress (ASAP) is a community-wide response to address substance abuse in Bartholomew County.
The ASAP Hub, a 2,000-square-foot recovery resource center, saw 375 people from September to January. The facility opened last year for individuals, families and friends who are impacted by substance abuse disorder. In December, ASAP had 150 cases of individuals or family members who were engaged in some part of the recovery process, Walsh said.
The opening of TASC last year, as well as the new daytime treatment program LifeWorks at St. Peter’s Lutheran Church that started earlier this month, have increased the local the treatment capacity, though even more is needed, ASAP officials said.
Getting treatment could be the difference between life and death for some.
There were 23 fatal drug overdoses in Bartholomew County last year, up from 17 drug overdose deaths in 2018, according to a report from the Bartholomew County Coroner’s Office. In 11 of the 23 fatal drug overdoses, multiple substances were found, and in 14 of the cases, the cause of death involved opioids.
Additionally, Bartholomew County residents have visited hospital emergency departments a combined 468 times for non-fatal opioid overdoses from 2011 to 2017. Across the state, opioid overdoses resulted in 26,884 emergency department visits over the same period.
Substance abuse needs to be addressed far before requiring a hospital visit.
The public’s perception on the complicated problem has changed over time in a positive way.
Not so long ago, those battling substance abuse were treated as the lowlifes of our society, falling under the simple label of “addict.”
We also now know substance abuse crosses all socio and economic lines
Obviously, the issue is much more complex than elementary name-calling, as health professionals have urged us to move away from hurtful diction and stressed the importance of education on the disease.
For years, research has shown that successful drug policies have stemmed from communities increasing treatment availability.
Officials in Bartholomew County are taking important measures in helping its people.
Substance addiction’s can feel like a Hydra at times, but if we work together, like when Heracles went asked his nephew for help in slaying the beast, we one day may be able to accomplish the improbable.
