The Healthcare Foundation of La Porte (HFL) hosted a presentation over the La Porte County Opioid Study at the Dworkin Student Services and Activities Complex at Purdue Northwest’s campus on Thursday morning.
The study was commissioned by the HFL through the Center for Health Policy at the Indiana University Richard M. Fairbanks School of Public Health. And while researchers conducted this particular study for La Porte County, the opioid epidemic extends beyond county lines, as it unfortunately impacts the lives of people across the state, the nation and the globe.
At Thursday’s presentation, the keynote speaker was Dr. Jennifer Walthall, the Secretary of Family and Social Services Administration of Indiana. She emphasized the steps that are being taken to directly combat the crisis here in the state.
One thing she mentioned that every individual is capable of participating in, is eliminating the stigma associated with substance abuse disorders. Policy changes and program implementation can only be accomplished when the problem is seen as a collective effort rather than an individual one.
While covering stigma elimination, she shared that education leads to understanding which leads to empathy which in turn provides hope and allows for recovery.
Additionally, Dr. Walthall discussed the interpersonal factor of the state’s syringe exchange programs. She said Indiana is one of the only states to offer this rurally and unlike urban counterparts, Hoosier communities utilize the county health departments for these programs.
She stated that when someone comes in for a clean needle or to properly dispose of a used one, they interact with the same people on a regular basis. She said the public health nurses do their best to reach out and connect on a personal level. They offer additional assistance, such as food, shelter and treatment opportunities.
Dr. Walthall noted that while these programs are sometimes regarded as controversial, they are vital in reducing additional health risks such as HIV, Hepatitis and other diseases related to unsanitary intravenous injections.
More information from Thursday’s presentation, including specific findings from the La Porte County Opioid Study related to preventing misuse, providing access to treatment and supporting long-term recovery, will be shared in future stories.
