The Opioid Crisis – it is an ominous, frightening, pervasive threat with far-reaching feelers, literally taking hold of families across the country. This crisis is often referred to as the paramount issue in communities, cities, and states. An issue worthy of attention, strategy, and community mobilization.
State leaders gathered Friday to discuss strategies to protect young people from opioids and the trauma often associated with the dangerous drugs.
Tackling the opioid crisis before it can take root was the focus of the gathering of civic and political leaders in Manchester. Officials said that children are often the most innocent victims of substance abuse, and the group looked at ways they can be educated about it and protected against it.
"Our children's lives are really at risk from what they are witnessing, from what they are experiencing in the home, from the children that are making the 911 calls," said U.S. Rep. Annie Kuster, D-N.H.
"Our records show that from 2016 to today, we (know of) 101 children under the age of 18 (who) witnessed an overdose in their home," Manchester Police Chief Nick Willard said. "Many of them were fatal."
Follow here to read more from Andy Hershberger about one particular approach police in Manchester New Hampshire are using to address the toxic stress children experience when parents are struggling with opioid addiction.
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