Jamestown, New York – In Chautauqua County, a federal study on addiction is underway, with a focus on a medication-assisted treatment program for opioid use disorder. This approach has been life-changing for individuals like Jessica Crooks, who has been using Suboxone to manage her heroin addiction for the past five years.
Crooks shared that Suboxone has helped eliminate her cravings and thoughts of heroin, describing it as a complete life changer. This sentiment is echoed by Steve Kilburn, program director for Healing Communities Study, who emphasized the effectiveness of medication in addressing opioid use disorder on both an individual and public health level.
The study also involves a communication campaign to educate the public about the effectiveness of medications like Suboxone, Methadone, and Vivatrol in reducing illicit opioid use and the risk of overdose death. This is particularly important as fentanyl overdoses have become the leading cause of death for adults 18-45 in the United States.
According to the Centers for Disease Control, Chautauqua County has been experiencing an average of one fatal overdose per week. Kilburn emphasized the importance of raising awareness to prevent more families from losing loved ones to addiction.
The campaign also aims to break the stigma associated with medicated assisted treatment, as expressed by Crooks, who believes that it is possible to be successful while taking medication for addiction. She now works for the Mental Health Association, helping others in recovery or still struggling with addiction.
The federal study, which includes several counties in New York, is set to continue its education campaign until May 5. This initiative reflects the growing efforts to combat the opioid epidemic and provide support and resources for those impacted by addiction.
In addition to Chautauqua County, other counties participating in the study’s second phase include Broome, Cortland, Genesee, Monroe, Orange, Sullivan, and Yates. These collaborative efforts underscore the comprehensive approach needed to address addiction and its widespread impact.