From The Desk of Kathy Jenkins - September 2023
Did you know September is National Recovery Month? Unfortunately, on local, state, and national levels, drug use, overdoses, and overdose deaths continue to rise, specifically those related to fentanyl. Here are some facts and statistics about overdoses, substance use disorder, and addiction:
Every 12 minutes, someone dies from an overdose in the U.S.
50% of people aged 12 and over have illicitly used drugs in their lifetime.
From 2020 - 2021, the number of drug overdose deaths in South Carolina increased by more than 430 individuals, from 1,734 deaths to 2,168 (increasing by more than 25%) with fentanyl overdose deaths accounting for two-thirds of those deaths. By comparison, there were only 573 drug overdose deaths in the state in 2012.
Around one-third of those experiencing homelessness also suffer from alcoholism and/or substance use disorder with approximately two-thirds having a lifetime history of addiction.
It is truly heartbreaking to know how many suffer from the horrible disease. Addiction touches us all, whether it affects us personally, our family or friends, our neighbors, or those in the community. But despite the unfortunate reality of addiction, there is still hope. At New Directions, we have seen firsthand that recovery is possible. Last fiscal year, we connected 57 individuals to long-term recovery programs, providing 31 scholarships. So far this year, we have connected 21 individuals to recovery, providing 4 scholarships. And through our peer support specialists, peer-led groups, and daily classes at our shelter, we see recovery happen each and every day.
In March, a recovery scholarship fund was established at New Directions by the family of Eric Rion after Eric lost his long-fought battle with addiction. Eric Rion was a life-long friend of our Program Director, William Howsare, and they shared a passion for helping people through recovery. This fund provides that opportunity for those still suffering from addiction, getting them the help they need through scholarship into programs where they will have the best chance of success. We are grateful to the Rion Family for establishing this fund in memory of Eric. You can learn more about this fund here
This National Recovery month, as we celebrate all who are on their path to recovery and remember those who are still struggling or have lost their battles, I hope you will join me in taking time to learn about recovery and how to support those who suffer from substance use disorder. Together, we know that recovery is possible!
Kathy Jenkins, CEO
Sources
CDC National Health Statistics Brief (Dec. 2022)
National Center for Drug Use Statistics
SC DHEC 2021 Drug Overdose Deaths Statistical Report for South Carolina - SC DHEC
Journal of Social Distress and the Homeless