Newark, N.J. – Integrity House, one of New Jersey’s largest licensed not-for-profit providers of comprehensive substance use disorder and mental health services, observed International Overdose Awareness Day on August 31. International Overdose Awareness Day is the world’s largest annual campaign to end overdoses. Every day, more than 300 people die from drug overdoses and nearly 500 from alcohol.
Integrity House believes that compassion is crucial in combating addiction and preventing overdoses. Addiction is a disease, not a choice, and stigma only hinders access to treatment. Rather than judgment, we need empathy that recognizes the humanity of those affected.
Comprehensive education about the danger of illicit substances and the overconsumption of alcohol is essential. The dangers of illicit substances like fentanyl, heroin, cocaine, and methamphetamine can not be understated. But legal substances like prescription opioids and alcohol are dangerous as well. Everyone, from people with substance use disorders to educators to family members, must be informed about their impact, as well as fentanyl’s pervasive presence in the illicit drug supply, how to respond to overdoses and how to use opioid-overdose-reversing naloxone.
Societal stigma is a major detriment preventing people from seeking addiction treatment, making it essential to assure those struggling with addiction that they deserve help and recovery. But Integrity House knows that there are other barriers people struggling with addiction face that prevent them from getting treatment, such as a co-occurring disorder, a lack of finances or an inability to get to a treatment facility. Integrity House offers full-person care to address co-occurring disorders and will treat anyone looking for help regardless of their finances.
To engage individuals who experience obstacles in connecting to care at traditional brick-and-mortar facilities, particularly individuals who are homeless, they launched their Mobile Community Care program, which goes out into the community to provide FDA-approved medications for SUD, as well as other necessary services. The program engages individuals who experience obstacles in connecting to care at traditional brick-and-mortar facilities, particularly individuals who are homeless.
“Compassion is necessary to combat addiction and prevent more overdoses,” said Robert Budsock. “Demonizing those suffering from addiction strengthens and enforces the stigma surrounding it and prevents people from seeking the help they need. We have to be supportive and receptive to those seeking help, and shaming those who are suffering will only discourage them from seeking treatment and ultimately lead to more and more deaths which could be prevented. On International Overdose Awareness Day, I encourage everyone to show compassion and understanding so we can continue to fight this terrible scourge.”
On August 29, Integrity House hosted walks on its Newark and Secaucus campuses to raise awareness of the prevalence of overdoses.
Dana Ziccarello, ICADC, CPRS, SAP, Director of Outpatient Services, who organized the walk, said, “Let this day serve as a reminder that every life is precious and that through compassion, education, and support, we can prevent future tragedies and offer hope to those still struggling.”