Around 100,000 Americans have died from an overdose in the past year between May 2020 to April 2021. That is a 30% jump within the latest year. This milestone has never-before-seen and health officials see connections to the COVID-19 pandemic. This year there has also been a dangerous drug supply.

During the pandemic, there was a growing prevalence of fentanyl in the illicit drug supply. The COVID-19 pandemic affected drug abuse because it left many feeling isolated and it was harder to get treatment or any other support.

"Drug overdoses now surpass deaths from car crashes, guns, flu, and pneumonia. The total is close to that for diabetes, the nation's No. 7 cause of death"

There are new supporting data studies that show how many of the deaths involve illicit fentanyl. Fentanyl is "a highly lethal opioid that five years ago surpassed heroin as the type of drug involved in the most overdose deaths." Deaths from methamphetamines and cocaine are rising because drug dealers are mixing them with fentanyl.

If you or a loved one is struggling with drug or substance abuse there are many resources. SAMHSA has a National Helpline at 1-800-662-4357. In Omaha, there is a rehab treatment center called Northpoint Recovery.

DEA Take Back Day to provide the community an opportunity for Americans to turn in any unused or expired prescription drugs. This aids in preventing drug addiction and overdose deaths.

The results from the October 2021 National Take Back Day were:

Total Law Enforcement Participation: 4,276

Total Collection Sites: 4,982

Total Weight Collected: 744,082 (372 tons)

To learn more about the DEA Take Back, Click Here.

The National Day of Awareness is held annually on the 2nd Saturday of November. The American Medicine Chest Challenge (AMCC) provides action steps for families to safeguard their homes from prescription drugs. Over the past 10 years, the number of pain medicine overdoses has nearly tripled.

Below are 5 steps families can take to safeguard their homes at any point of the year.

The end of the year brings joy to many people from family gatherings, big dinners, holiday music, and cozy fires. But for some, holidays bring dark times and are difficult to deal with. Some problems people have during the holidays are "time of family conflict, financial strain, loneliness, grief, and seasonal affective disorder"

Grief and holidays are a common connection, that has plenty of supported research. The seasonal affective disorder affects around 6 percent of Americans and 14 percent experience "winter blues". The CDC reports that during the upcoming months of December and January cases of alcohol and drug-induced deaths spike.

The American Addition Centers researched more than 2,000 people and they found the majority suffer from overwhelming or moderate stress during the holidays. This research also showed how Americans drink more during the holidays with 29% of the research participants saying they drink more during the holidays. "25% reported higher levels of depression" and depression may result in a rise in alcohol and drug-related deaths.

The holiday season presents challenges for many trying to recover. Research indicated that working out and eating healthy during the holidays are two ways to stay sober during the holidays.

Stay safe and healthy this season.

To learn more click here.

This month we had several presentations at three Elkhorn middle schools! Carey Pomykata of Coalition Rx and Deputy Wayne Hudson of the Douglas County Police Department presented in front of approximately 1000 students!

Their presentation was on decision-making following four simple steps! Stop. Think. Act. Reflect.

For more information on our programming & what we do, check out our website.