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The misuse of substances is not a very widely discussed topic in the Alameda County area, likely due to the low percentage of those affected by opioid addiction. According to the Alameda County CommunityConnection, there has been a 49% decrease in opioid deaths since 2015 in Alameda County, which indicates the partners associated with the Health Care Services Agency (HCSA) have put up a successful effort in reducing the misuse of opioid medications and curbing overdoses.
However, this does not mean that opioid misuse is not an issue in our area and shouldn’t be talked about. The misuse of substances is much more common around the country than we know. According to the American Psychiatric Association, nearly 110,000 Americans died from drug overdoses in 2022 (more than 81,000 of these deaths involved either prescription or illicit opioids). However, because the topic is less prevalent in Alameda County, there are limited resources available for people who are going through this issue.
School-Based Education Programs
Over the past few years, many schools (ranging from elementary to high school) have implemented programs to teach students the consequences of substance misuse. For example, many schools around California have implemented a program called D.A.R.E (Drug Abuse Resistance Education). Founded in 1983 in Los Angeles, this program is aimed to prevent the use of controlled drugs, membership in gangs, and violent behaviors. This program also equips students of all ages with knowledge about drug abuse, the consequences of abuse, and skills for resisting peer pressure to experiment with drugs, alcohol, and tobacco.
Not only have specific programs been a part of the school community, but there have also been new systems put in place. According to the California Safe and Supportive Schools, the California School Climate, Health, and Learning (CalSCHLS) System added a Mental Health Supports survey module through a federally-funded initiative to promote mental health awareness among California K-12 students called Project Cal-Well. This survey is available to all California schools and districts and measures students’ perceived stigma related to mental health, which is crucial to make sure every student knows their voice is being heard.
Treatment Services
There are many different services in the Bay Area that provide the treatment needed for individuals with substance use disorders. According to the Alameda County Behavioral Health Care Services, Medication-Assisted Treatment (MAT) is the use of medications to facilitate the recovery of individuals with substance use disorders. These clinics provide effective treatment for opioid and alcohol use disorder, combining FDA-approved medications to treat these disorders along with counseling and behavioral therapy.
Detox and rehabilitation centers have also played a big part in the treatment of individuals struggling with substance misuse. Inpatient and outpatient programs, such as Options Recovery Services and New Bridge Foundation, are all very helpful to get effective treatment. Not only are these programs useful to help people get over their substance use disorder, but it is also a great opportunity to connect and make new friends within the program, so having more of these services in Alameda County will make people feel much more comfortable to seek help.
One of the biggest reasons substance misuse can become more severe over time is their pleas for help not being heard. Building strong foundations and relationships through programs and centers will help them feel more comfortable communicating their feelings.
This article was written as part of a program to educate youth and others about Alameda County’s opioid crisis, prevention and treatment options. The program is funded by the Alameda County Behavioral Health Department and the grant is administered by Three Valleys Community Foundation.
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