l l
HEALTH CHECK
Florida soon became the center of the opioid epidemic with the ability prescribe the pill with ease . The state ’ s southern corridor was even named “ Oxy Express .” This brought in shady business practices and the creation of “ pill mills ” due to the state ’ s liberal laws on prescription medication . Eventually Florida had to change its law , but not before it had already facilitated tens of thousands of addicts . When those addicts couldn ’ t get prescription opioid anymore , they turned to heroin .
The strict laws on prescribing opioid has been enforced across the country , which has caused the rise of heroin addiction resulting in the current epidemic , especially in the Pacific Northwest . Even though fatal drug overdoses by prescription opioids are at their lowest point in a decade , heroin fatal overdoses have tripled in King County since 2009 and treatment admissions have double since 2010 .
On the path to find a resolution , Seattle officials are thinking outside the box . If they can ’ t force addicts to stop doing it , how about helping them ?
One way is for Northwest drugstores to sell Naloxone , which is a lifesaving heroine antidote that can reverse the effects of an overdose . It is available without a prescription as an injectable drug or nasal spray . Even Seattle bicycle police have started carrying it in case of overdose emergencies on the street .
The other way is to give addicts a place to shoot up . In March of 2016 , Mayor Ed Murry created a heroin task force that has endorsed a strategy of establishing facilities where addicts would be allowed to take drugs without fear of being arrested . These “ safe consumption facilities ” would allow addicts to engage in drug use legally under trained supervision . They would receive clean needles and syringes , but they would not supply the drugs .
This concept isn ’ t a new one . In 2003 , Canada open the first “ Insite ” supervised injection facility in Vancouver . The facility is connected to a housing program and other services to help people who use drugs in the city ’ s downtown eastside area . Some Canadian officials believe money should be directed towards providing more treatment to get addicts off the street . With heroin being such an addictive drug , these facilities give addicts a reason to avoid recovery . Insite does not agree . The center has up to 1,000 injections daily , which they claim has led to a reduction in overdose deaths , crime , and the spread of disease in the neighborhood . It has encouraged more addicts into recovery , which is offered upstairs of the facility . They give addicts the independence to make their own choices while instilling the idea of recovery . It ’ s the mentality that one will not get help unless they are ready to get it for themselves . In addition , no one has ever died from an overdose under their supervision since they opened in 2003 .
The war on drugs isn ’ t a new problem . We have been fighting it for over two decades and it ’ s only gotten worse . It has forced people to hide on the streets to inject and share needles , which has spread disease and death . These safe consumption facilities are a solution . The concept has been proven to work and also it will save taxpayers money . For every clinic built , it is estimated to save $ 6 to $ 1 per patient to be spent on stabilization and safety . But the most important point is that it will help reduce addiction and get people off the streets . It ’ s time to end the battle and help humanity by putting lives and needs above legalities for a safer and healthier Seattle .
Rise of the drug epidemic in the US
Drug overdose deaths per 100,000
1999 - 2014
Drug overdose deaths per 100,000
In 2014 , 47,000 people in the US died from drug overdoses . The majority of those deaths – 29,000 – involved an opioid . source : The Guardian ( may 2016 )
8 Natural Pain Relievers to Try Before Resorting to Prescription Painkillers
1 . Omega-3 fats helps prevent inflammation before it begins .
2 . Optimizing your production of vitamin D with daily sun exposure supports different mechanisms to reduce pain .
3 . Studies have confirmed that chiropractic treatment is safer and less expensive than allopathic medical treatments , especially when used for pain .
4 . Acupuncture is proven to treat many kinds
of pain by improving circulation and reducing inflammation .
5 . Massage therapy is shown to be as good as surgery for pain conditions such as torn cartilage and arthritis .
6 . Ginger has potent anti-inflammatory activity and offers pain relief and stomach settling properties .
7 . A past study found that curcumin blocks inflammatory pathways , effectively preventing the overproduction of a protein that triggers swelling and pain .
8 . Boswellia or “ Indian frankincense ,” contains specific active anti-inflammatory ingredients .
FASHION ISSUE VILLE
27