Nightingale Advocacy

Written by: Jack Wlazlowski, Flower Mound HS

Overdose deaths continue to inflict widespread suffering worldwide. In 2021, the National Institute of Health reported that over 106,000 people in the United States succumbed to drug-involved overdoses, encompassing both prescription medications and illicit substances. Better Health Channel defines an overdose as the ingestion of a toxic (poisonous) amount of a drug or medicine. With overdose numbers reaching record highs, it is imperative to emphasize prevention education.

Overdose primarily impacts adults aged thirty-five to forty-four, with men experiencing the highest rates. Among men, Alaskan Natives, African Americans, and non-Hispanic whites are most affected, particularly by lethal doses of opioids. For example, in 2019, African Americans in Minnesota were twice as likely to die from an overdose compared to their white counterparts. This risk extends beyond Minnesota, as of February 25, 2023, the National Institute of Health noted that the overdose mortality rate remains disproportionately high in the Black (53.5 per 100,000) and Latinx (49.2 per 100,000) populations in New York City compared to the white population (36.2 per 100,000) [1].

Visible symptoms of a potential overdose include nausea, vomiting, unresponsiveness, and cyanosis (blueness) of the fingernails and toenails. Long-term effects may encompass depression, anxiety, memory loss, brain injury, balance issues, hallucinations, and even fatality. Overdosing on a lethal substance is one of the deadliest actions an individual can take; without immediate medical intervention, the outcome is often tragic.

In response to the harrowing overdose statistics, Congress has implemented several measures to combat this crisis. Firstly, the Comprehensive Addiction and Recovery Act, enacted in 2016, focuses on addressing the opioid epidemic and promotes the use of medications like naloxone to treat narcotic overdoses in emergency situations. Access to naloxone has expanded, making it more readily available to first responders, healthcare professionals, and community leaders. Secondly, Good Samaritan laws offer legal protection to those reporting potential overdose cases, thereby encouraging reporting and alleviating fears of legal repercussions related to drug possession or delayed reporting. Thirdly, Prescription Drug Monitoring Programs (PDMPs) have been employed to prevent overdoses. These state-level databases monitor the dispensing and prescribing of controlled substances, curbing practices like “doctor shopping” for multiple prescriptions of the same drug from different pharmacies.

While these initiatives have proven helpful, it is vital for readers to understand how they can personally contribute to overdose prevention. Doing so not only benefits themselves but also their communities and the causes they champion. So, what can you do?

1. Seek help if you or someone you know is battling an addiction to potentially lethal drugs. Speaking up can save lives. Resources like SAMHSA can provide invaluable assistance.
2. Always decline offers of drugs that can harm you.
3. Encourage your peers to make healthy choices, offer alternative activities instead of drugs, and educate them about the consequences of drug abuse.
4. Consider harm reduction tactics when dealing with someone who struggles to quit using drugs entirely. Encourage the use of clean needles to reduce the risk. For guidance on responding to an opioid overdose, refer to this website: harmreduction.org.