Opioid Crisis & Parenting
Father’s Devastating Loss Inspires Movement to Save Teenagers from Deadly Opioid Overdose
May 2022 marked the first time Ed Ternan, the East Bay San Francisco resident, became familiar with fentanyl after his 19-year-old musically inclined son Charlie succumbed to the fatal opioid. The demise of his vibrant son left Ed and his loved ones devastated. Rather than despair, Ed has dedicated himself to rescuing others from a similar destiny. With an alarming rise in fentanyl-related overdose deaths among teenagers, families nationwide are feeling the impact. This has prompted Ed’s initiative, “ Song for Charlie,” to spread the word about the dangers of fentanyl and help individuals battling addiction access the support they need.
Ed, alongside Big Tech and the state of California, is taking action to address the pressing issue of opioid addiction and ultimately save lives. Governor Gavin Newsom of California has invested more than $1 billion to combat the epidemic, establishing CalRx, which is dedicated to producing their own Naloxone to combat overdoses from opioids. Working with tech companies, Ed’s organization is developing advanced algorithms to detect and highlight potentially fatal drug combinations to notify users about the dangers.
Ed’s mission prioritizes harm reduction, as individuals at the most significant risk of a deadly overdose mix various drug classes or consume drugs in conjunction with alcohol, those who have previously experienced a concerning overdose, or those who are less tolerant towards opioids.
Amid an ongoing national crisis surrounding opioids, Ed’s story is among an increasingly common trend. Tragically, overdose deaths related to fentanyl are becoming more frequent, especially among young individuals who are particularly susceptible. However, there is a glimmer of hope in the form of recovery in high schools.
Recent coverage from The Washington Post highlights the essential role these schools can play in assisting young people through addiction, offering support and a space to heal and grow. As this crisis rages on, people like Ed Ternan and organizations such as “Song for Charlie” must continue to shed light on the issue, providing resources and working towards concrete solutions that can save lives.
Amidst the growing opioid epidemic in America, tackling the issue will require a united front and the participation of various industries. However, among those taking a significant stance in combating the crisis is the tech giant community, employing their expertise and resources to create groundbreaking solutions. One case of this is Google’s recent invention, which functions as a tool through which users can locate pharmacies containing Naloxone, a medication with the power to invert opioid overdoses.
To combat the opioid epidemic, big tech companies like Facebook are using their expertise by teaming up with non-profit organizations and state governments to detect and eliminate content related to the sale of opioids on their platform through advanced algorithms. The collaboration will strengthen the battle against this deadly crisis and potentially save countless lives.
To curb the opioid epidemic and prevent deaths, novel approaches are being explored. California, for instance, has kicked off CalRx, an ambitious initiative geared towards producing its own Naloxone- an antidote that could be a lifesaving agent to those affected. Besides, several states have enacted Good Samaritan laws safeguarding individuals who rescue an overdosed person from prosecution, increasing the chances of saving lives.
To combat the rampant opioid epidemic, the Department of Health and Human Services has begun implementing a comprehensive overdose prevention strategy encompassing various tactics. Key focuses of this strategy include primary prevention, harm reduction, evidence-based treatment, and recovery support. The timeliness and multi-faceted nature of these initiatives underscore the gravity of the opioid crisis and the need for a holistic approach.
The opioid epidemic demands a cohesive effort among the government, private sector, and communities to effectively address it. Preventing overdose and increasing awareness of opioid dangers is a crucial role that communities can play through education. Law enforcement agencies can collaborate with healthcare providers and communities to address opioid-related issues. Families who have lost loved ones to opioid overdoses are forming organizations and foundations to encourage change and raise awareness. By uniting forces, we can effectively combat the opioid epidemic and potentially save countless lives.
Originally published at https://www.newsbreak.com.
