BlackDoctor.org: Can you share with us some resources that are available to support recovery in the Black community?
Calondra Tibbs: In addition to the Cures Act, faith-based approaches are very helpful to opioid addiction. These approaches focus on healing the person both physically and spiritually. We (NACCHO) are also focusing on the data and the needs of the community to drive the development of resources. We are paying close attention to evidence-based programming that will meet the individuals and communities. We must think about more specific resources by looking at why people use drugs in the first place, then develop resources around those issues. Whether it is an issue of jobs, housing, systems, economy, etc., we must consider what may be driving health inequities. How do we address why some may have access to resources where others may not? We must address the root issues then design programs around the issues. Policies, systemic issues, [and] racism can impact decision making and those who are battling these problems daily might be more susceptible to drug use.
BlackDoctor.org: What can we do as concerned community members to manage and overcome Opioid Addiction in our communities?
Calondra Tibbs: The public health approach requires that we identify the needs in our individual communities and work together towards solutions. So, what we can do as community members is:
- Have open discussions.We must be honest about what is going on in our communities. We need to discuss what opioid abuse and addiction look like in our community. We must abandon, “It’s not in my neighborhood” or ignore it because it is not happening to “my” family. There are more people impacted by this epidemic than we are willing to believe or admit. Opioid issues increase healthcare costs, insurance rates, taxes, etc. It is EVERYBODY’s problem.
- We must create an environment where people can talk more openly without feeling judged. We must remove the stigma and stereotypes to get people the help that they require. If someone has a cold, a neighbor might bring chicken soup and do what they can to make their neighbor comfortable. We don’t employ this same attitude when addiction is the illness.
- We must look at the social-cultural implications of poverty, loss of jobs, [and] trauma. We must figure out culturally-specific ways to address these issues and also teach healthcare providers to do the same.
The opioid crisis is not one person’s responsibility, it’s everybody’s! If we work together towards solutions the result can be less time off work for people who are dependent on opioids, fewer people in [the] hospital, less costly to our healthcare system over time, and more businesses will want to come to our communities when drugs are not an issue. We must to a better job of talking to each other and working together.
Jamelia R. Hand MHS CADC MISA I is a Certified Addictions Counselor, Co-Occurring Disorders Specialist and Opioid Addiction Consultant. She believes that we need as many Substance Use Disorders Treatment options as we have people who are suffering, including the integration of Medication Assisted Treatment and Behavioral Health Therapy. She is a passionate educator, advocate for mental health parity, substance use disorder treatment and is a national speaker on opioid addiction issues. She is available for consulting and contract engagements with clients in SUD/mental healthcare, medical and public health systems. For more information, visit vantageclinicalconsulting.com.