From On
Point with Tom Ashbrook – NPR
Dr. Josiah Rich:
“The CDC just put out
a notice that for something like the 15th year in a row the overdose death
rates have increased. We’re experiencing a tremendous public health disaster –
the likes of which we haven’t seen since the early AIDS epidemic or the AIDS epidemic
itself here in the US, and also around the globe. The disease is opiates
addiction. You know those receptors: they don’t care if it’s heroin or morphine
or oxy.”
The entire show can be
found here:
Yes, It is really saddening that this is going on in America. and to men and women who are at the prime of their lives. Before they even get the chance to begin living their lives, They are experimenting with Benzos or Oxycontins at parties because of peer pressure.
ReplyDeleteI met Will a few times when he went to this outpatient program to try and get help and even hung out with him afterwards. So when I heard what happened to him, I was heartbroken.
I also have a friend who died of alcoholism at 25yo. Because women are more prone to heart diseases then men. So daily alcohol intake was her doom.
I've dealt with the illness of addiction & mental illness for half of my life. I've heard so many people say, "Well if it's so bad for you(Drugs), why don't you just stop?".
Oh! How I wish it was that simple. Just shut off a switch or something. How I wish if you did 90 meetings in 90 days, it would cure you.
After I heard what unfortunately happened to Will, I stayed away from getting high for about 2-3 weeks. But the urge and invincibility that you have take makes you use grew and I eventually went back to using. I'm glad that my use has drastically decreased. I'm nowhere near where I was about 2 or 3 years ago. or 6-9 years ago(Which is when I truly was at my lowest). I was mixing anything and everything(GHB+Valium(just so you know how truly stupid and careless I was)).
So I've became more responsible with my use (If there is such a thing). My parents are Brazilian immigrants. If they were to lose me, They would be so lost in this city and i think in life as well. I help translate so many important papers and things for them, follow them to their doctor's appointments, and so many other things. I wish i was strong enough to stop just for them, but people told me that's not enough. You have to stop because YOU want to stop for your own health and well being. And that's the biggest reason that's going to make you want to stop. I know i have won a few battles, but I haven't won the war yet.
I'm so happy with how Will's parents decided to honor his memory and legacy by having blogs and pages on FB like this. I couldn't think of a better way to turn a horrible, negative and sad event and a tragic, unfortunate loss of life and turn it into something positive like this that can help so many people going through dark periods in life who need a helping hand and who are struggling with the same things.
I'm sure there are or will be a 13yo or 14yo who is interested in getting high for the first time, or smoking his first joint. And will find groups such as these and think twice.
Just like many others who have overdosed, I started with Marijuana+Alcohol. Thinking it is the most normal, harmless and safe thing out there. On the surface it seems that way. But if you have a disease that it gives you comfort, then I don't see anything wrong with that. But if you're young, it hides many dark things that if you're not careful, you'll fall prey to.
To Will...Always and forever
Moe C