Asana Recovery

HOW A BRITISH COLUMBIA TOWN IS ADDRESSING YOUTH SUICIDE CAUSED BY THE OPIOID CRISIS

LET’S HAVE A TALK ABOUT ADDICTION

One of the best ways to overcome a public health emergency is for the public to get involved (as you probably expected). In that light, a town in British Columbia has found an effective way to address an unfortunate result of the Canadian Opioid Crisis: opening the public’s eyes to youth suicide caused by opioid addiction. As this terrible health scare continues to wash through the streets of Canada, the group CMHA Vernon has launched a program with the help of doctors, local groups, and community leaders in Vernon, B.C. to provide detailed but necessary information about this dreadfully tragic event. So, what does this program entail? Let’s grab our snowshoes and head north of the border to find out.

The Dangerous Connection

In the wake of Canada’s opioid epidemic, Vernon CMHA and its associates have developed programs to bring the community together to confront this national crisis. Overall, Julia Payson (director of CMHA Vernon and District) introduced these “youth community dialogues” as a means of preventing substance use, promoting mental health assessment, and preventing suicide among the youth of Canada. Payson explained that their ultimate goal is to completely rearrange responses to social stigmas and public advocacy to protect young people (and possibly adults, for that matter).

According to recent statistics, substance addiction is one of the most dangerous social problems that is combated by teens and young adults nowadays. In fact, an estimated 85% of Canadian teens have consumed alcoholic drinks, while 50% have partaken in illegal substances. Even more disturbing, the group that is at the highest risk for developing addiction is under 24 years of age.

Drawing Attention to Small Towns

As Payson explains, many people might live under the assumption that their young children, teens, and adults will be sheltered from the opioid epidemic because they do not live in the big cities. In reality, though, statistics show that youth who live in rural Canadian towns are more likely to partake in drugs and alcohol. In fact, one study showed that rural teens are more likely to take part in binge drinking, drive while drunk, or smoke marijuana.

Seeking Treatment for Opioid Use Disorder   

While absolutely necessary for chronic pain patients, opioids are deadly and potentially addictive drugs that can wreak havoc on your mind and body. You must be overly careful when dealing with these medications if a physician has prescribed them to you.  However, in the unfortunate case that you have fallen victim to opioid addiction or your friend or loved one is suffering from this problem, get in touch with Asana Recovery today. Our professional team of counselors and healthcare experts will help you endure the painful process detox and withdrawal and guide you through each step of the rehabilitation process to help you separate yourself from opioids and other addictive drugs you may be using.

If you want to find out more about our residential treatment or supervised detoxification/withdrawal programs or enroll in one of these programs today, we are ready and waiting to speak with you at your leisure and your disclosure. Call Asana now at (949) 438-4504 to learn how you can overcome your attachment to opioids and take an essential step against the American Opioid Crisis.