TUCSON, Ariz. -- An epidemic that continues claiming lives every single day.
Panelists at the University of Arizona talked about the reality of the opioid crisis.
Opioid related deaths do not discriminate by age— or gender.
Experts say the best way to beat the crisis is by getting educated.
University of Arizona professor and former U.S. Surgeon General, Dr. Richard Carmona, says you don’t have to be addicted to fall victim to opioids.
“Number one, a first time use can be deadly.Number two, you could get sick. Number three it could be the start of many more times that take you to addiction,” Dr.Carmona told KGUN9.
Another reason why he says events like these are important so that people can get educated and make good choices.
“When you have 130 people, a day, dying around the country it is a significant epidemic that needs to be dealt with. It’s a public health problem,” he added.
According to Dr. Carmona and a panelist, OxyContin used to be a popular drug. Now the trend has shifted to Fentanyl.
These drugs are killing people at a higher rate because of their strength, low cost, and accessibility.
University of Arizona junior Hunter Pesqueira says, the opioid crisis topic hits close to home.
“I’ve had three friends pass away these past four years and it’s something everyone needs to know about. It is rising up and I feel like this presentation gave me the information to save someone’s life,” Pesqueira told KGUN9.
Students also learned how to apply Narcan, a drug that reverses the effects of an opioid overdose.
“Our EMTs, our paramedics, our police officers carry that now so that we can intervene very early,” added Dr. Carmona.
This is a reality Pesqueira says is seen all too often.
“It’s very heartbreaking to see young people and just people who think it’s okay to use it die off suddenly,” she said.
So for those thinking of using drugs, here’s a message from Dr. Carmona.
“Don’t do any of it. It’s not worth your life. It’s not worth the trouble you may get in,” he added.
Dr. Carmona also says any drugs you take should be prescribed by a physician and picked up at a pharmacy. This way you know it is not laced.
