The projected increase can be attributed in part to lingering substance abuse from the opioid epidemic and the lace of face-to-face contact during the early moths of the coronavirus pandemic, said mental health officials, first responders and others who work with people dealing with substance abuse.
The Mental Health Recovery Board of Clark, Greene & Madison Counties and Clark County Substance Abuse, Prevention, Treatment and Support Coalition are collaborating to bring attention to the problem as well as to those who are on the front line of what some worry could be the reemergence of the opioid epidemic.
“Isolation and addiction don’t mix well. We had the (opioid) problem before and how could we forget these people? As a community, this week is a chance for us to come together,” said Beth Dixon,and a member of the Clark County Substance Abuse, Prevention, Treatment and Support Coalition. She is also a a prevention education coordinator at Wellspring, a counseling and support program, and is coordinating efforts associated with First Responder Appreciation Week designed to recognize those who serve on the front lines as those affected by substance abuse.
Of the 24 overdose deaths recorded in Clark County this year, 14 occurred in April, accoding to CCCHD. Figures for June through September are not available.
The rise in cases come after significant drops in 2018 when there were 64 overdose deaths compared to 106 in 2017.
Carey McKee, a prevention specialist at Springfield’s McKinley Hall, an addiction treatment center, said Clark County law enforcement reported 342 overdoses from January through September 2020, of which 70 percent were related to heroin.
Jared “JJ” Peck is seeing the addiction resurgence firsthand as a peer support specialist for McKinley Hall. He points to lockdown isolation being a culprit.
“Something was missing with no face-to-face meetings that led to a lot of relapse and access to substances,” Peck said. “Many people are nervous and need someone to talk to. If we can give people the tools to help the situation, then we can help each other.”
Peck has an insight because he came from that lifestyle, turned his life around and wants to give back.
Besides being involved in several programs to combat substance use, Peck said if he simply gets a call that someone is thinking of using again, he’ll be ready to go, 24-7. But this is where anybody can help, from recognizing someone has a problem to attending a Friends of Addicts meeting to see where they can fit in.
“Accessibility to peer support means being there to walk side-by-side. It can mean getting coffee if someone is thinking of using and that can change the whole dynamic by just being there for somebody,” he said.
Education is key, he said, pointing to pill presses that are made to look like pain medication Percocet that are actually Carfentanil, one of the worst opiates on the streets.
Peck is enthused to have the recognition week to help teach and will do his part by leading a free Narcan training for all first responders and community members, any time between noon and 4 p.m. Tuesday, Sept. 22 on Burnett Road between Cole Manor and the 247 Building.
“Our community has so much going on, there’s a real reformation here,” he said.
Dixon said several segments of the community are involved in the week’s activities such as a community church blessing, a TikTok video challenge, free meals and discounts for first responders and an online mental health first aid training.
For more information, see the Clark County Substance Abuse, Prevention, Treatment and Support Coalition or Clark County Combined Health District Facebook pages.
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