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Substance abuse seems to be an ongoing issue in my county, especially after looking at the data. In Summit County, we had 40% of alcohol-impaired driving deaths whereas Ohio had 33% and the United States had 27% (County Health Rankings and Roadmaps, 2018). This number is blatantly higher in my county and that is concerning for the community. This number shows me that just driving around where I live; we are more at risk on the road with so many of these impaired drivers. We also had 35 drug overdose deaths per 100,000 people, but the United States had 23 per 100,000 (County Health Rankings and Roadmaps, 2018). In my county, the number of overall overdoses has decreased over the last few years, but the ones that do overdose are dying now more often, with the most accidental overdoses being related to fentanyl (County of Summit ADM Board: Alcohol, Drug Addiction, and Mental Health Services Board, 2023).

I am proud of my county for creating the County of Summit ADM (Alcohol, Drug Addiction, and Mental Health Services) Board back in 2014 when they saw the detrimental and life changing epidemic that heroin and opioid abuse brought to our county. This Board has designated hotlines running 24/7, a helpline for those in addiction and ready to take steps towards recovery, and they have crisis services for any problem or urgent matter concerning mental health, addiction and alcohol use (County of Summit ADM Board: Alcohol, Drug Addiction, and Mental Health Services Board, 2023). The County of Summit ADM Board also has several resources and readily available help to prevent someone from going down this path of substance use and abuse (County of Summit ADM Board: Alcohol, Drug Addiction, and Mental Health Services Board, 2023). This Board realizes that many struggling with mental health are using and abusing substances as well as many abusing substances are struggling with mental health; these two often go hand in hand. Together with several other businesses in the community, they are trying to help people struggling and prevent substance abuse from taking over this county. This Board is working hard to show those people in addiction, that there is hope and a chance to recover and change their life.

As a community health nurse, there are several ways to get involved in this organization. For the role they play in the prevention of substance and alcohol use and abuse, the community health nurse could screen people who are at high risk or have other stressors going on. They could educate them on alternatives to the path they seem to be heading down. Education is also essential for those in addiction and looking for a way out. If someone was thinking about quitting alcohol, for instance, education is vital for the life and well-being of that patient. They need to be monitored as well as know the risks and potential health outcomes such as seizures in alcohol or benzodiazepine withdrawals.  A community health nurse is also imperative to give referrals and resources to people out there that don’t know of programs, assistance, or help that is there for those who are struggling.

For those living near me that are struggling with alcohol or substance use, know you don’t have to do it alone! Talk to someone from County of Summit ADM Board today! #dontstrugglealone #gethelptoday  https://www.admboard.org/ Links to an external site.

References

County Health Rankings and Roadmaps. (2018). Retrieved from Explore Health Rankings: https://www.countyhealthrankings.org/explore-health-rankings/ohio/summit?year=2022

County of Summit ADM Board: Alcohol, Drug Addiction, and Mental Health Services Board. (2023). Retrieved from https://www.admboard.org/