WASHINGTON, D.C. >> U.S. Rep. Mike Thompson hosted an educational forum on substance abuse and the dangers of self-medication. The forum brought together a panel of leaders in the effort to better understand and more effectively treat substance abuse at the federal, state and local level as well as by community organizations.
“Substance abuse burdens our country’s healthcare system and impacts the lives of our family members, friends and neighbors,” said Thompson. “We need to do all that we can to better understand, treat and prevent substance abuse. Today’s forum allowed for the collaboration that is needed between all levels of government and community organizations so that we can make meaningful progress to address this issue.”
Recent reports indicate that in Lake County, drugs led to over 200 emergency room visits, almost 100 hospitalizations and 23 deaths. Opioids led to 50 visits to the emergency room and 52 hospitalizations.
The raw numbers are higher in more populous areas. Sonoma County, for instance, counted over 900 emergency room visits as a result of drugs, while in Contra Costa, more than 2,000 visits were recorded.
“In nationwide surveys, California continues to rank among states reporting the highest rates of illicit drug use; critical forums such as these provide a unique opportunity for us to collectively and collaboratively address a local mounting adolescent and adult public health crisis,” observed Dr. Marina Tolou-Shams of the University of California, San Francisco.
Panelists included Dr. Tolou-Shams; Sonoma County Supervisor Shirlee Zane; Melissa Jones, Regional Director for the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services; Don Braegar, Chief of the Substance Use Disorder Program with the Policy and Fiscal Division of the California Department of Health Care Services; Cathy Boe, Clinical Supervisor with Aldea Behavioral Health Services’ Wolfe Center; and Garen Staglin, Founder of One Mind Institute and IMHRO.
“Long term use or misuse of opioids hijack the brain’s reward system causing permanent alterations in how the brain works,” Zane said. “We need to approach and treat addiction like all other chronic diseases. Today’s forum was an invaluable opportunity to collaborate with stakeholders about how we can more effectively address addiction”
Panelists provided an overview of the current trends and research of substance abuse and identified resources where community members and their families can go for help. Braegar informed the panelists that a waiver allows Medi-Cal members with substance use disorders to receive the treatment they need in a timely manner and reasonable location. He expects this organized delivery system to improve treatment and recovery success for patients.
“It’s important to remember that people with substance use problems are doing the best they can, and we need to help them do better,” Roe pointed out. “By bringing together leaders in that effort for a collaborative discussion, today’s forum was an important step.”
