The Opioid Epidemic in Rochester

By Kermarie Principe Caceres

Many people are affected by these classified controlled substances. It affects all populations, people with health problems, teenagers battling with depression or other mental and emotional illnesses which makes it an issue. It is important to consider solutions to this problem since there has been many deaths, people that overdose, families affected emotionally or many people entering rehab because of the opioid epidemic.

During my research, I had the pleasure to interview few of the nurses I work with at Strong Memorial Hospital. I first interviewed RN Castro about her knowledge on opioids and she said that opioids are used as pain relievers but people misused them for other purposes. She said there were Narcan available for opioid overdose.  When asked how someone could support a friend or family member with this addiction, Castro recommends helping them avoid risky situations.  And I started thinking about all the suicides on social media because of depression. For example, someone suffering from depression has a bad day and harms themselves which in this case would be an addict having a hard day and trying to get high to forget their worries. Her ideas for solutions were to educate the patient, their family and friends about opioids, the kind of support the patient needs and educate them about Narcan. There’s also in-patient rehab and methadone clinics.
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In Rochester, there are many rehab clinic such as Pathways, Helio Health: Rochester Evaluation Center, UR Medicine Mental Health and Wellness- Strong Recovery, Rochester VA Outpatient Clinic and so much more. These places are recommended for anyone battling with opioids seeking help to stop.  The Methadone Clinic in Rochester has a line where privacy is guaranteed, and offers help 24 hours a day at 800-530-0431. Feel free to call!