Pill Mills to Fentanyl: Tackling the Opioid Epidemic

In a recent expert panel discussion titled ‘Pill Mills to Fentanyl: Tackling the Opioid Epidemic,’ leading figures from healthcare, nonprofit, and criminal justice sectors convened to address the alarming 600% increase in drug overdoses from 2000 to 2023. Through insightful dialogue, the panel underscored the imperative of a multifaceted, collaborative approach to combatting addiction, emphasizing policy reform, community education, and evidence-based interventions as crucial pillars in the fight against opioid misuse and its devastating consequences.

How to help teens stay free from substance abuse

Drug overdose deaths are rampant, with over 100,000 reported by the CDC in 2020-2021. Jacksonville saw a drug bust capable of killing 1.5 million. Teens and young adults are particularly affected. Substance abuse, encompassing alcohol, tobacco, and prescription drugs, leads to addiction and health issues. One in seven Americans aged 12 or older has experienced substance use disorders. Preventive methods targeting youth are crucial. Programs enlightening teens on substance abuse, ensuring easy access to mental health support, removing drugs from communities, developing assertiveness skills, and supporting family-based initiatives are vital. By prioritizing prevention, lives, communities, and resources can be saved.