Harm reduction, case management, medically assisted treatment – these concepts all require one fundamental element: strong personal relationships. Again, to work toward recovery is an exercise in trust – trusting of yourself, and trusting in others to care.
But what happens when another public health crisis makes person-to-person interaction difficult, even dangerous?
“A lot of this work is built with an understand that we have to meet people where they are,” Tony said. “We need to perform regular outreach to people who use – in homeless encampments or on the streets in some of the high-use areas.”
Tony believes that this outreach is necessary to build bridges to enable the most vulnerable populations a chance to be seen, and to recover. Dependent opiate users need wrap-around services to help build their lives around them. Opioid abusers are trying to treat pain – whether that’s physical, mental, emotional, or societal. As people attempt the path toward recovery, oftentimes they need access to mental health therapy, affordable transportation, or even something as fundamental as a place to shower or find safety.
Now, at a time when access to human connection is at a critical low – and resources for treatment are shifting to other public health crises – those struggling with opioid abuse are facing barriers to recover on both ends. They are struggling to find success and meaning in a world turned upside down, while at the same time unable to receive the critical human-elements of treatment.
“Those stressors are absolutely making life harder for users, and on top of it COVID has forced this issue to be ignored,” Tony said. “It’s a shame, because we were making such great strides. We had a lot of support coming from the governor and other officials, but in comes COVID and it overshadows all of it.”
According to reports, this confluence of misfortune is having real impacts on the lives of those with substance use disorders. Overdoses are on the rise, and we’re losing people at accelerated rates. Without the work of dedicated professionals and clinicians, people are struggling with their disease on their own. Furthermore, the stigma of COVID only seems to compound the stigma around their drug use. It’s not only hard to receive the support necessary from health clinics, but other support systems and even fellow users are unable to support each other as they once did.
“It’s got to be hell for users right now. We all have to socially distance, we can’t connect anymore. People can’t go to meetings in person – and that’s an energy that is absolutely lost,” Larry said. “It’s a major hindrance for people trying to recover. It’s even harder if you have other circumstances – if you’re homeless, or unwell, it’s just so difficult.”
As the months roll on without a solution for COVID-19, people like Larry and Tony have chosen to become vocal about the dire situation facing opioid users today. Tony has been coordinating with his colleagues at Heartland Alliance to develop outreach plans for both users AND legislators – connecting with one population to serve and the other to motivate them to act. He’s worked with Heartland Alliance’s policy and advocacy team to develop calls to action in Springfield, and will be leading outreach efforts on August 31st – National Overdose Awareness day. He, along with HAH clinicians and represenatives from Thresholds, Rush University, and the Westside Heroin/Opioid Task Force will be reaching out to those most vulnerable to overdose – providing PPE, COVID testing, and naloxone to the community. Ultimately, they’re goal is more relational than anything. The event is to express to those struggling with substance abuse disorders: you are not alone.
Together, Larry and Tony hope to let the world know that they aren’t just facing one public health crisis. For them, the only way we can solve the opioid crisis is the same way we will overcome COVID-19 – and that’s by working together.
“We need to address this public health crisis as a people,” Tony said. “We need to address it with compassion, empathy, accountability, and love. We socially distance in an office and dictate. We must meet this crisis head on.”
