Stop the Silence; Speak the Truth A parent’s loss and advocacy on the Opiate Epidemic

Damien Brandon Smith Son Brother Daddy Boyfriend Grandson Uncle Friend Fighter

The future depends on what we do in the present.

“Courage to Change”… I can not mandate education and prevention in the school systems but I can encourage parents and young people to educate each other. “In an effort to combat the growing epidemic of prescription drug and heroin abuse, the FBI and DEA have released ‘Chasing the Dragon: The Life of an Opiate Addict,’ a documentary aimed at educating students and young adults about the dangers of addiction.”

OAPETAC Opiate Addiction and Prevention Education for Teens in Antrim County – May 14, 2018, Central Lake Public School Introduction OAPETAC -5 min   Community Service MSP Trooper Corey Hebner Chasing the Dragon video Presentation 45 min Video presentation. “Chasing the Dragon” was produced by the Federal Bureau of Investigation and is a wrenching portrait of the escalating opioid epidemic told through the frank testimonies of young addicts and their family members. Chasing the Dragon is a crucial viewing experience, particularly for young people who must contend with mounting peer pressures on a daily basis. Break 15 min Milk/Cookies Juice/Crackers Health Department SAFE booth/SAFE students outreach Panel/Q&A 45 min Panel presentation of local addicts in recovery sharing their stories of active addiction and recovery, a parent who will give the talk she wish she had to her son that was lost to opiate overdose. Question and Answers addressed by the panel and profesionals in attendance. Conclusion – 5 min Conclusion – Angel Program for addicts, Good Samaritan Law for all

“Courage to Change”… I cannot stop an addict from using, but I can be prepared to save their life in case of overdose. HARM REDUCTION hosts training the last Thursday of every month, Traverse City Library, 6-7:30. Register online.

989-732-2778 “Courage to Change”… I can not build a treatment center in Antrim County, but I can help get addicts to treatment facilities through the MSP Angel Program.

“Courage to Change”… I can not change or stop the dealers from coming into our community, but I can report their activity to law enforcement.

Lessons learned to share Don’t ever make the mistake of thinking that it won’t happen to you or someone you love. Share the prescription drug talk with your children and young people in your life; watch the video “Chasing the Dragon” with them. Inform them of the Good Samaritan Law. Everyone can do something. Educate this young generation so they can be the ones to reverse this deadly trend. Always ask for alternative pain treatment when doctors and dentists want to prescribe opiates. Say “No to Norco” and keep the medicine cabinet clean. If you know someone struggling with addiction, be prepared to save their life through treatment or antidote. If you even “suspect” drug activity, call and report it to authorities.