FROM OUR STATE HOUSE STUDIO IN MONTGOMERY, I'M TODD STACY.

THANK YOU FOR JOINING US.

TONIGHT ON CAPITOL JOURNAL, A SPECIAL FOCUS ON THE OPIOID EPIDEMIC IN ALABAMA.

BEGINNING IN THE LATE 90S, PRESCRIPTIONS FOR OPIOID PAIN RELIEVERS INCREASED RAPIDLY, THANKS IN PART TO PHARMACEUTICAL COMPANIES ASSURING THE MEDICAL COMMUNITY THAT POWERFUL DRUGS LIKE OXYCONTIN HAD A LOW RISK FOR ADDICTION.

THIS LED TO WIDESPREAD ABUSE OF OPIOIDS AND IT WAS YEARS BEFORE IT BECAME CLEAR THAT THESE DRUGS WERE IN FACT HIGHLY ADDICTIVE.

IN 2017, THE UNITED STATES GOVERNMENT DECLARED OPIOID ADDICTION TO BE A PUBLIC HEALTH EMERGENCY.

MOST RECENTLY, THE ACUTE PROBLEM HAS BEEN THE INTRODUCTION OF FENTANYL INTO THE SITUATION.

FENTANYL IS A SYNTHETIC OPIOID THAT CAN BE 50 TO 100 TIMES STRONGER THAN MORPHINE.

THE DRUG WAS DEVELOPED AS A PAIN MANAGEMENT TREATMENT FOR CANCER PATIENTS, BUT NOW IT IS SECRETLY PRODUCED AND SMUGGLED ADDED TO NARCOTICS LIKE HEROIN OR COCAINE TO INCREASE THEIR POTENCY.

IT IS ALSO ADDED TO BLACK MARKET ADDERALL AND XANAX, MAKING IT A PARTICULAR THREAT TO TEENAGERS AND COLLEGE STUDENTS.

HERE IN ALABAMA, DEATHS RELATED TO FENTANYL OPIOIDS HAVE BEEN RISING.

ACCORDING TO THE DEPARTMENT OF FORENSIC SCIENCE, THERE WERE 453 DEATHS ATTRIBUTED TO FENTANYL OVERDOSE IN THE YEAR 2020.

IN 2021, THERE WERE 1,069 FENTANYL OVERDOSE DEATHS FOR AN INCREASE OF 135 PERCENT.

THE STATE HAS ALSO SEEN A RISE IN EMERGENCY ROOM VISITS FROM DRUG OVERDOSES.

OPIOID OVERDOSE ER VISITS INCREASED BY 548 FROM 2020 TO 2021 AND WERE RESPONSIBLE FOR ALMOST THE ENTIRE INCREASE IN OVERALL DRUG OVERDOSE VISITS.

ATTORNEY GENERAL STEVE MARSHALL EARLIER THIS YEAR ANNOUNCED HE HAD REACHED A $264 MILLION SETTLEMENT WITH PHARMACEUTICAL COMPANIES FOR THEIR ROLE IN EXACERBATING THE OPIOID CRISIS.

THE SETTLEMENT FUNDS ARE TO BE USED TO REMEDIATE THE HARMS CAUSED BY THE EPIDEMIC.

PART OF THE FUNDS ARE BEING PUT TO USE IN A SPECIAL CAMPAIGN AIMED AT PREVENTING YOUNG PEOPLE FROM BECOMING ADDICTED.

MARSHALL AND ADVOCATES FROM AROUND THE STATE RECENTLY GATHERED IN BIRMINGHAM TO DISCUSS THESE AND OTHER EFFORTS TO FIGHT THE OPIOID CRISIS IN ALABAMA.

CAPITOL JOURNAL'S RANDY SCOTT WAS THERE.

>> ALABAMA ATTORNEY GENERAL STEVE MARSHALL IS CONDUCTING AN OPIOID EPIDEMIC SUMMIT TO HELP ADDRESS PEOPLE ADDICTED TO OPIOIDS TO BE ALLOW FOR THE RESOURCES OF THAT ORGANIZATION AND THEIR NETWORK TO BE ENGAGED SO THAT WE COULD FACILITATE THE MOST EFFICIENT USE OF THE DOLLARS THAT CAME IN.

FOR ME IT'S REALLY IMPORTANT TO SHARE THERE IS HOPE FOR PEOPLE STRUGGLING WITH SUBSTANCE ABUSE DISORDER.

>> ONE BEING A LAWMAN AND THE OTHER BEING AN ADDICT.

CHEF HAS WRITTEN A NUMBER OF BOOKS.

ALMOST ANYTIME YOU SEE AN OBITUARY FOR SOMEONE UNDER 40 IT'S AN OVERDOSE DEATH AND USUALLY IT'S FROM OPIATES.

UNDER THE CIRCUMSTANCES A CRISIS WE'RE FACING AS A NATION.

>> TO MAKE SURE THAT PEOPLE ARE AWARE, WHAT'S GOING ON, THERE ARE FOLKS IN NEAT THEY NEED HELP.

AND MAKE SURE IT DOESN'T GET TO THE PLACE SOMEONE ENDS UP THEY'RE AT A LOSS THAT END UP BEING A PART OF THE CRIMINAL JUSTICE SYSTEM >> AS PARENTS AS ADULTS WE'RE NOT AS UP ON THE EMOJIS AND THE SECRETS TO ATTRACT.

LIKE I SAID IT TAKES 3 MINUTES TO BE ABLE TO ORDER DRUGS ONLINE AND HAVE IT DELIVERED TO YOUR HOUSE.

>> PARENTS THAT ADDICTION IS A CHRONIC DISEASE OF THE BRAIN.

IT'S A MEDICAL ILLNESS.

IT IS TREATABLE.

IT'S CONTROLLABLE.

IT'S NOT CURABLE.

WHICH MEANS THERE'S A WHOLE CHRONIC DISEASE MODEL.

FOR CAPITAL JOURNAL I'M RANDY SCOTT.

KIDS USED TO HAVE LIMITED OPTIONS TO GET DRUGS.

MAYBE THEY'D GET THEM AT SCHOOL ON THE STREET OF FROM THEIR PARENTS' MEDICINE CABINET.

NOW, THEY DON'T EVEN HAVE TO LEAVE THE HOUSE.

BUYING DRUGS ONLINE HAS BECOME INCREASINGLY POPULAR AND DRUG DEALERS ARE TARGETING OUR KIDS ON SOCIAL MEDIA.

IT TAKES ONLY MINUTES TO CONNECT WITH A DEALER ONLINE OR THROUGH SOCIAL MEDIA.

THE SNAPCHAT APP POPULAR AMONG TEENS AND COLLEGES STUDENTS IS AMONG THE MOST NOTORIOUS FOR DRUG DEALING.

THEY'LL OFTEN SPEAK IN CODE USING EMOJIS TO REFER TO DIFFERENT DRUGS OR ACTIVITIES.

YOU CAN SEE SOME OF THOSE HERE ON THE SCREEN.

THIS WAY, PILLS CAN BE PURCHASED AND DELIVERED TO THE HOME WITH PARENTS NEVER EVEN KNOWING WHAT HAPPENED.

AND WORSE, KIDS WON'T KNOW IF THE PILLS THEY ARE OBTAINING MIGHT BE LACED WITH DEADLY FENTANYL.

THIS SITUATION HAS GOTTEN THE ATTENTION OF STATE LAWMAKERS.

THIS WEEK, STATE REPRESENTATIVE MATT SIMPSON OF MOBILE ANNOUNCED HE WOULD BE BRINGING LEGISLATION TO CRACK DOWN ON FENTANYL TRAFFICKERS.

CURRENT LAW ALLOWS FOR A FINE OF AT LEAST $50,000 FOR THOSE CONVICTED OF TRAFFICKING ONE TO TWO GRAMS OF FENTANYL, BUT, UNLIKE ALL OF OUR SURROUNDING STATES, ALABAMA LAW DOES NOT REQUIRE JAIL TIME.

SIMPSON'S LEGISLATION WOULD REQUIRE A THREE-YEAR PRISON SENTENCE FOR ANYONE WHO MANUFACTURES, SELLS OR DELIVERS THE DRUG.

THERE IS SOME GOOD NEWS ON THE OPIOID FRONT.

ACCORDING TO THE MEDICAL ASSOCIATION OF ALABAMA, OPIOID PRESCRIPTIONS HAVE FALLEN BY ALMOST HALF OVER THE LAST TEN YEARS.

IN 2012, MORE THAN 6.7 MILLION OPIOID PRESCRIPTIONS WERE REPORTED IN ALABAMA.

BY 2021, THAT HAD FALLEN TO 3.9 MILLION.

THAT'S A DECREASE OF 41 PERCENT.

THE MEDICAL ASSOCIATION ALSO REPORTS THAT DOSAGE STRENGTH OF OPIOID PRESCRIPTIONS FELL 52.7 PERCENT IN THAT TEN YEAR PERIOD.

ALSO, OVER THE LAST YEAR, PRESCRIPTIONS OF NALOXONE TO TREAT PATIENTS AT RISK OF AN OPIOID OVERDOSE ROSE MORE THAN 35 PERCENT IN THE LAST YEAR.

THERE ARE CLINICS AROUND THE STATE DEDICATED TO HELPING THOSE WITH OPIOID ADDICTIONS OVERCOME THEIR DEPENDENCE.

KAREN GOLDSMITH VISITED ONE SUCH CLINIC TO UNDERSTAND THE TECHNIQUES BEING USED TO HELP PEOPLE TREAT THEIR ADDICTION.

EVEN WITH ALL OF THE PREVENTIVE MEASURES A SEGMENT OF THE POPULATION WILL BECOME ADDICTED TO OPIOIDS THEREFORE MAKING TREATMENT A NECESSITY.

IT'S IT'S A DISEASE.

IT'S GOING TO HAPPEN.

JOSHUA MOORE THE OWNER OF MOORE RECOVERY CENTER IN AUBURN AND PRAVEL IT COMES TO SEEKING TREATMENT.

>> THE INITIAL PHONE CALL THAT'S THE SCARIEST PART FOR PATIENTS.

>> THAT'S WHY AN IN PERSON CONSULTATION WITH A PHYSICIAN.

HE WANTS TO KNOW ABOUT YOU.

FIND OUT YOUR HISTORY AND BACKGROUND.

YOUR CURRENT SITUATION.

YOU'LL DO A URINE SCREEN.

DOC.

AND THEN THE PATIENT'S FOLLOW UP SCHEDULE IS SET.

AND WE TRY TO START AS LOW A DOSE AS POSSIBLE.

AS LOW AS DOSE THAT'S GOING TO PROVIDE THE PROPER RESULTS.

WE WANT TO MAKE SURE THAT THE WITHDRAWAL SYMPTOMS ARE GOING AWAY.

>> IT REDUCES THE DRUG CRAVINGS.

>> YOU GET PUT ON THIS MEDICATION AND YOU'RE TABLE AND YOU'RE ABLE TO FOCUS ON YOUR FAMILY AND YOUR JOB WHATEVER THE CASE MAY BE THEN WE WANT TO KEEP THAT ON A LOW DOSE, AND YOU'LL STAY THERE.

IT'S UP TO THE PATIENT.

I TRULY BELIEVE THAT THE DEDICATION IS DEPENDING ON THE PATIENT.

CALL 334-730, 0093.

FOR CAPITOL JOURNAL I'M KAREN GOLDSMITH.

IF YOU KNOW OR YOU NEED HELP TO FIND RESOURCES.

WE'LL BE RIGHT BACK WITH TONIGHT'S SPECIAL GUESTS.

NEXT KATHERINE ROBERTSON CHIEF COUNCIL FOR STEVE MARSHALL AND SALLY LONG SHORE FOR THE DEPARTMENT OF CHILDHOOD ABUSE AND NEGLECT.

>> THANK YOU FOR.

>> KATHERINE I'LL START WITH YOU.

AND JUST THE OVER ALL ISSUE.

BUT WE WOULDN'T BE SITTING HERE AND TALKING ABOUT PROBABLY IF NOT FOR THE SETTLEMENT.

THE BIG SETTLEMENT THAT YOUR OFFICE SECURED FROM THE PHARMACEUTICAL COMPANIES.

$264 MILLION.

THIS MONEY IS SUPPOSED TO GO TOWARD VICTIMS AND PREVENTION EFFORTS.

THINGS LIKE THAT.

CAN YOU TALK ABOUT THE SETTLEMENT ITSELF.

HOW WE GOT THERE AND HOW THIS MONEY MIGHT BE DISTRIBUTED.

THIS WAS ALL INITIATED BY GENERAL MARSHALL.

THIS ISSUE IS VERY PERSONAL TO HIM.

HE DECIDED TO MAKE THIS A PRIORITY AND PUT THE RESOURCES TO TRY TO GO BACK AND COLLECT THE MONEY THAT OUR STATE IS DUE.

THROUGH THE STATE PROGRAMS AND THAT HAVE TO OUR PRISONS TO OUR LAW ENFORCEMENT ACROSS THE CONTINUUM.

THIS IS SOMETHING HE'S TAKEN THE LEAD ON NATIONALLY.

HE WENT OUT ON A LIMB AND DID AN BAM ONLY SETTLEMENT INSTEAD OF FOLLOWING THE MULTI-STATE SETTLEMENT.

AND IT REALLY PAID OFF.

AND WE'RE HAPPY WITH THE RESULT.

>> SALLY HOW CRITICAL ARE THESE FUNDS IN TERMS OF PREVENTING KIDS FROM EVER GETTING ADDICTED TO OPIOIDS.

>> TO START OFF WITH WE FOCUS TOTALLY ON PREVENTION EFFORTS.

WE WANT TO MOVE THAT WHOLE EFFORT UPSTREAM.

THIS IS POSITIVE WORK.

SO WHEN ATTORNEY GENERAL MARSHALL NOTIFIED ME THAT WE WERE GOING TO RECEIVE $1.5 MILLION FROM THAT FIRST SETTLEMENT, WE WERE THRILLED.

BUT WE HAD PUT TOGETHER ON A PLAN OF ACTION FOR HIM AND WE WERE SO PLEASED TO HAVE A SUMMIT IN JULY.

KIND OF A CALL TO ACTION.

HE WAS PRESENT AND WE HAD A GOOD GROUP OF PEOPLE.

WE WANT TO PIGGYBACK OFF OF THAT AND GET RESOURCE RICH WITH THINGS THAT PARENTS, CAREGIVERS, EDUCATORS, FAITH COMMUNITY, ANYBODY THAT'S WORKING WITH YOUTH AND TEENS COULD HAVE THESE RESOURCES AND USE THEM TO TRY TO GUIDE THE WORK AND CERTAINLY PREVENT OUR KIDS FROM USING IN THE FIRST PLACE.

>> I UNDERSTAND YOU'RE WORKING ON A CAMPAIGN.

>> WE ARE.

>> PREVENTION ORIENTED DIRECTED TOWARD YOUTH.

THERE ARE GOING TO BE PSAs WE'RE GOING TO HAVE SHORT AND LONG VIDEOS.

WE'RE IN THE PROCESS OF FILMING THAT OF.

SO THERE ARE TRUE TO LIFE STORIES THAT WILL RESONATE WITH TEENS.

AND THESE ARE GOING TO BE VERY WELL SCRIPTED.

WE'RE TICKLED WE'RE PARTNERING WITH THEM TO DO.

THAT'S ONE ASPECT.

WE'VE GOING TO HAVE A WEBSITE DEDICATED TO WHOLE HOST OF RESOURCES.

AN EDUCATOR TOOL KIT.

IT'S GOING TO BE RESOURCE RICH FOR FOLKS TO USE TO HELP PREVENT OPIOID ADDICTION.

>> WHEN CAN PEOPLE EXPECT TO SEE THAT.

JANUARY OF 2023 WE'RE ROLLING THAT ALL OUT.

JANUARY OF 2023.

WHAT IS RESONATES WITH ME IN 2023 OUR AGENCY TURNS 40 YEARS.

40 YEARS OF DOING PREVENTION WORK IN ALABAMA.

THIS IS KIND OF THE ICING ON THE CAKE FOR US.

>> KATHERINE YOUR OFFICE HAS TO DEAL WITH THE LAW ENFORCEMENT SIDE OF THIS ISSUE.

OPIOIDS ARE A HUGE ISSUE.

FENTANYL IN THE LAST COUPLE OF YEARS IN TERMS OF ITS INTENSITY.

YOU'RE SEEING TALK OF LEGISLATION TO INCREASE PENALTIES FOR FENTANYL TRAFFICKERS.

FROM YOUR PERSPECTIVE DO WE NEED TOUGHER LAWS.

I THINK WHAT MOST ALABAMIANS MAY BAM'S LOCATION ON THE GULF COAST IS KNOWN AS THE DRUG TRAFFICKING SUPERHIGHWAY.

BETWEEN THE TEXAS BORDER AND THE ATLANTA AREA ALL UP ALONG THAT AREA AND THE FENTANYL THAT ARE COMING ACROSS.

WE'RE CERTAINLY FOR TOUGHER LAWS.

IT'S IT IS A VERY DIFFICULT PROBLEM TO SOLVE.

IT'S AN UPHILL BATTLE.

SO WE CERTAINLY SUPPORT TOUGHER LAWS.

GOOD FUNDING FOR LAW ENFORCEMENT.

I THINK THE RESOURCES WE BRING FROM THE SETTLEMENT WILL GO TO DRUG COURT.

>> WHEN YOUR OFFICE HEARS FROM PROSECUTORS, OUT THROUGHOUT ALABAMA AND LAW ENFORCEMENT OFFICERS, IS THERE AN UPTICK IN THIS PROBLEM.

IS THERE A PROBLEM MORE THAN THE OTHER CRIMES THEY'RE TRYING TO PROSECUTOR.

>> YEAH, DRUGS, DRUG CRIMES ARE ALWAYS ASSOCIATED WITH VIOLENT CRIME.

THERE ARE GOING TO BE DRUGS AND GUNS.

SO IT WILL ALL LEADS TO A CRIME CULTURE.

YES, THEY'VE SEEN MORE AND MORE FENTANYL.

IT'S SO UNIQUE IT'S DANGEROUS NOT TO THE COPS TO THE POLICE DOGS AND OTHER PEOPLE IN THE ROOM.

THEY SAY THE AMOUNT OF FENTANYL EQUAL TO WEIGHT OF A MOSQUITO CAN KILL PEOPLE.

>> IN TALKING TO PEOPLE IT'S EASY TO SEE THE ROLE OF PARENTS.

CAN YOU TALK ABOUT THE ROLE OF FAMILY IN THIS ISSUE.

>> CERTAINLY.

IT'S NOT JUST FAMILY.

A CHILD IS SUCCESSFUL IF THEY'VE GOT ONE CARING ADULT IN THEIR LIFE.

IT COULD BE A GRANDPARENT.

IT COULD BE A SCOUT LEADER.

IT COULD BE A TEACHER.

THERE'S SO MANY ADVERSE EXPERIENCES THAT AFFECT OUR YOUTH.

THAT'S THE CENTER OF OUR WORK.

FOR EXAMPLE THERE'S A SCALE OF 10 QUESTIONS AND IF A CHILD ANSWERS YES AS AS MANY FOUR THEY'RE 38% MORE LIKELY TO DROP OUT OF SCHOOL OR TO ENGAGE IN RISKY BEHAVIORS LIKE DRUGS.

SO WE DEFINITELY WANT TO COUNTERACT THAT AND COUNTERACT THOSE ADVERSE CHILDHOOD EXPERIENCES.

WE DO A LOT OF TRAINING WITH OUR REGULAR PROGRAMS WE FUND.

CERTAINLY THIS CAMPAIGN WILL BE INVOLVED WITH ALL OF OUR GRANTS ACROSS THE STATE.

CURRENTLY THERE'S 175.

AND THEIR COMMUNITY-BASED.

THEY'RE LOCAL BASED GROUPS THAT ARE ENGAGED IN TRYING TO PREVENT ABUSE AND NEGLECT.

IT'S THAT ONE CARING ADULT IN A CHILD'S LIFE THAT'S A MENTOR.

AND DIRECTION.

WE HAVE INFORMATIONAL PSA THAT KICKS OFF WITH IT IS NOT A SIGN OF WEAKNESS TO ASK FOR HELP IT IS A SIGN OF STRENGTH.

I THINK IF WE BUILD THE CONFIDENCE IN OUR YOUTH THEY KNOW THEIR RESOURCES OR THEIR PARENTS OR CAREGIVERS WHERE THE RESOURCES IF YOU SUSPECT THERE'S HELP OUT THERE.

WE WANT TO USE THIS WEBSITE AND USE OUR RESOURCES TO CONNECT FOLKS TO HELP.

>> IT'S INTERESTING THERE IS A LOT OF STIGMA ATTACHED TO THIS PROBLEM.

THAT CAN LEAD TO EMBARRASSMENT.

IT'S NOT JUST A CERTAIN TYPE OF KID OR CERTAIN TYPE OF ADULT.

IT RUNS THE SPECTRUM.

>> I WAS SOME KIDS GET ADDICTED OR EVEN THE FENTANYL BECAUSE THEY'RE STUDYING.

THEY'RE STUDYING UP LATE AT NIGHT.

HOW CAN WE ADDRESS BOTH WITH YOUTH AND PARENTS IN ORDER TO KIND OF BREAK THAT BARRIER SO THAT THEY WILL SEEK HELP.

HOPEFULLY THIS MEDIA CAMPAIGN IS GOING TO ADDRESS THAT.

I DON'T WANT TO TIP TOO MANY THINGS BEFORE WE DO.

I REALLY THINK THOSE TRAINING VIDEOS THEY'RE GOING TO RESONATE WITH PARENTS AND KIDS.

THEY'RE VERY REAL.

WE'RE NOT USING ACTORS.

WE'RE USING REAL KIDS TO HELP SPEAK TO OTHER KIDS.

I THINK IT'S REAL SUCCESSFUL IN DOING THAT.

TO ANSWER YOUR QUESTION AGAIN I THINK LIKE I SAID DESTIGMATIZE IT.

THIS ADDICTION KNOWS NO PARTICULAR ZIP CODE.

IT AFFECTS ALL.

IT DOESN'T MATTER YOUR SOCIOECONOMIC STATUS, WHERE YOU LIVE.

I DON'T TALK TO PEOPLE THEY HAVEN'T HAD SOMEBODY IN THEIR FAMILY THAT HAS EITHER USED OR HAD AN ADDICTION PROBLEM, REACHED OUT TO HELP.

I THINK WHAT'S SO SERIOUS IS KATHERINE STATED WITH THE FENTANYL.

YOU DON'T KNOW WHAT YOU'RE GETTING.

IT'S JUST INSTANT DEATH ON MANY OCCASIONS.

IT'S EDUCATION.

IT'S THE HEART OF PREVENTION.

SO WE WANT TO USE THE WEBSITE.

ALL OF OUR TRAINING TOOLS TO HELP EDUCATE PARENTS AND ANYBODY THAT'S WORKING WITH CHILDREN AND OF COURSE THE CHILDREN TOO.

A LOT OF THE VIDEOS ARE KIDS TALKING TO KIDS.

I THINK THAT'S GOING TO BE REAL IMPACTFUL.

>> UH-HUH.

A QUESTION FOR BOTH OF YOU.

WATCHING RIGHT NOW ARE PARENTS, TEACHERS, LAWMAKERS, GOVERNOR IVEY A RANGE OF THESE FOLKS.

THIS IS A SPECIALIZED ISSUE.

WHAT ARE A COUPLE OF THINGS THINKING ABOUT THE AUDIENCE YOU WOULD LIKE THEM TO KNOW MAYBE THEY DON'T HAVE THE SEVERITY OF OPIOID PROBLEM IN ALABAMA.

KATHERINE, I'LL START WITH YOU.

FOR OUR LAWMAKERS THEY'RE GOING TO BE GIVEN THIS REALLY SIGNIFICANT SUM OF MONEY THAT IS TO BE USED FOR OPIOID ABATEMENT.

I THINK IT'S A MUCH BROADER THINGS THAT PEOPLE CAN WRAP THEIR MIND AROUND.

IT'S JUST SUCH A BIG CONTINUUM AND IT HAS TO HAVE SUCH A MULTIFACETED RESPONSE.

OBVIOUSLY WE LIVE IN LAW ENFORCEMENT TERRITORY AND THERE'S A HUGE ROLE FOR THEM TO PLAY.

THERE'S EDUCATION, AND PREVENTION.

I JUST HOPE THEY WILL USE THIS MONEY FOR OPIOID ABATEMENT.

TALK TO THEIR AND PROBABLY DIFFERENTLY IN DIFFERENT AREAS.

JUST LOOKING AS AN ARROW LANE OF PEOPLE THAT MIGHT OTHERWISE BE DRUGS IS NOT REALLY IT.

IT'S JUST SUCH A STRANGE AND UNIQUE PROBLEM.

IT'S THE SAME FOR US.

WE WANT TO GET GOOD RESOURCES OF CAREGIVERS AND FAMILIES SO THEY'RE AWARE.

AGAIN, IT'S NOT SHAMEFUL TO ASK FOR HELP.

I THINK THERE'S HELP OUT THERE.

IT'S CREATING THAT AWARENESS AND THESE TOOLS IS GOING TO BE REAL IMPORTANT.

IT IS IMPORTANT.

I APPRECIATE YOU COMING ON THE SHOW.

CONGRATULATIONS ON THE SETTLEMENT.

>> THANK YOU.

>> AND GOOD LUCK ON THE CAMPAIGN.

WE WILL BE FOLLOWING IT.

ONCE IT STARTS WE'LL HAVE YOU BACK ON.

>> PLEASE DO.

>> THANKS AGAIN.

>> WE'LL BE RIGHT BACK.

>> NEXT I'M PLEASED TO BE JOINED BY STEVEN TAYLOR CHIEF MEDICAL OFFICER OF PATHWAY HEALTHCARE.

DR. TAYLOR THANKS FOR COMING ON THE SHOW.

THANKS FOR HAVING ME.

WE'RE FOCUSING ON ADDICTIONS TO OPIOIDS SPECIFICALLY WITH CHILDREN.

YOU ARE A CHILD PSYCHIATRIST.

CAN YOU TELL US ABOUT YOUR PRACTICE BACKGROUND.

I'M A CHILD AND ADOLESCENT PSYCHIATRIST AND AN ADDICTION PSYCHIATRIST AND I'M A SPORT PSYCHIATRIST.

I WEAR A LOT OF HATS.

WHAT I DO NOWADAYS NOW I'VE BEEN IN PRACTICE FOR 28 YEARS PRIMARILY ADMINISTRATIVE AND SUPERVISORY.

I'M THE CHIEF MEDICAL OFFICER OF PATHWAY MEDICAL WE WRITE POLICIES THAT THE POLICIES ARE ADHERED THROUGHOUT OUR COMPANY WHICH IS A MULTI-STATE ORGANIZATION WITH 15 DIFFERENT OFFICES SPREAD ACROSS SEVERAL STATES.

DOCTORS WHO NEED HELP WHO HAVE QUESTIONS CAN CONTACT ME AND ASK FOR HELP.

I MAKE SURE THAT THINGS ARE RUNNING SMOOTHLY.

THAT THE CARE AND MENTAL HEALTH CARE AND ADDICTION CARE.

>> IN 28 YEARS I'M SURE YOU'VE SEEN A LOT OF CHANGE IN THE FIELD.

WHAT ARE ARE SOME OF THE ADDICTION ISSUES FACING IN ALABAMA FACING YOUNG PEOPLE.

>> WELL, THE SITUATION THAT YOUNG PEOPLE ARE IN TODAY IS AN UNUSUAL ONE OUR YOUNG FOLKS ARE JUST COMING OFF OF THIS UNPRECEDENTED GLOBAL PANDEMIC.

DURING THE PANDEMIC YOU'LL RECALL THAT WE SAW INCREASES IN SUBSTANCE USE AMONG ADULTS.

INCREASE OF NUMBER OF ADULTS WHO STARTED DRINKING ALCOHOL.

NOT TO MENTION INCREASES IN OPIOID OVERDOSE RATES THAT ARE IN THIS STATE AS WELL AS AROUND THE COUNTRY THAT WERE ABSOLUTELY FRIGHTENING AND HIT -- SET RECORDS OVER THE PAST COUPLE OF YEARS.

DURING THAT TIME DRUG USE AMONG ADOLESCENTS ACTUALLY DECREASED.

WHAT WAS INTERESTING THAT PHENOMENON IS BEST UNDERSTOOD WAS PROBABLY A RESULT OF THE ISOLATION OF YOUNG PEOPLE BECAUSE THEY WEREN'T ABLE TO GO TO SCHOOL AND SOCIAL EVENTS AND HANG OUT.

THEY WERE ISOLATED.

OF COURSE THEIR SUBSTANCE USE DECREASED.

AT THE SAME TIME WHAT WE ALSO SAW THAT MENTAL CONDITIONS AMONG OUR YOUNG PEOPLE WHICH WERE ALREADY IN A TERRIBLE STATE PRIOR TO THE START OF THE PANDEMIC ACTUALLY GOT WORSE DURING THE PANDEMIC.

INCREASED RATES OF DEPRESSION.

INCREASED RATES OF ANXIETY DISORDERS AND ANXIETY RELATED PROBLEMS WHICH IS UNDERSTANDABLE WHILE WE'RE IN A PANDEMIC WHICH YOUNG PEOPLE ARE SUFFERING LOSSES OF PARENTS AND GRANDPARENTS AND CARETAKERS.

AND INCREASED RATES OF SUICIDIALITY.

TO OTHER DRUGS THAT THEY COULD CONCEIVABLY USE TO SELF-MEDICATE OR TO SOOTHE THEMSELVES.

THAT'S THE ISSUE WHEN IT COMES TO SUBSTANCE USE AMONG OUR YOUNG PEOPLE WE HAVE TO BE ON A HIGH ALERT.

THIS IS A TIME WHEN MANY OF OUR YOUNG PEOPLE WILL BE AT INCREASED RISK FOR ENGAGING IN SUBSTANCE USE BECAUSE THEY'RE DEALING WITH ALL OF THESE MENTAL HEALTH PROBLEMS.

FOR PARENTS OR TEACHERS WHAT ARE THE WARNING SIGNS FOR A YOUNG PERSON SYMPTOMS TO LOOK OUT FOR SOMEBODY SUBSTANCE ABUSE.

>> WELL THE MOST COMMON THING I'VE SEEN IS JUST A CHANGE IN THE YOUNG PERSON'S ENGAGEMENT IN THE FAMILY, AND CHANGE IN THE ATTITUDE AND THE WAY THEY RELATE TO THEIR PARENTS AND PEERS.

SOMETIMES THEY DON'T CHANGE THE KIDS THEY USED TO HANG OUT WITH.

THEY DECIDE THAT'S THE STUFF FOR THE NERDS FOR THE KIDS WHO WEREN'T COOL.

ALL OF A SUDDEN ALL OF THEIR FRIENDS TEND TO BE THE ONES THAT WHO AREN'T INVOLVED IN THOSE ACTIVITIES AND MORE LIKELY TO HANG OUT OR DRINK OR SMOKE.

IT'S ONE OF THE MOST COMMON.

THEN OF COURSE YOU'LL SEE SOME DECLINES IN ACADEMIC PERFORMANCE.

SOMETIMES DECLINES IN SCHOOL ATTENDANCE.

AND PARENTS NEED TO WATCH OUT FOR THAT.

MOOD DISTURBANCE WHICH COULD BE THE CAUSE OF INCREASED SUBSTANCE USE OR COULD BE THE CAUSE OF SUBSTANCE USE.

THOSE ARE SOME OF THE COMMON WARNING SIGNS THAT PARENTS OUGHT TO LOOK OUT FOR.

I ALWAYS HAVE A PARENTS HAVE A LOOK AT SUSPICIOUS.

YOU SEE A COUPLE OF SIGNS THAT DOESN'T SEEM RIGHT TAKE THAT SERIOUSLY.

GO ON AHEAD AND CONSIDER THAT IMPORTANT.

AND THEN HAVE A HIGH -- I'M HIGH INDEX OF SUSPICION AND LOW THRESHOLD FOR ACTIVITY.

THINK ABOUT IT SERIOUSLY AND LOW THRESHOLD FOR ACTION.

DON'T WAIT UNTIL THINGS HAVE GOTTEN REAL BAD BEFORE YOU TAKE ACTION.

WHEN THINGS ARE STILL AT THE I'M NOT SURE GO AHEAD AND TAKE YOUR YOUNGSTER AND TALK WITH THEM.

MAYBE TAKE THEM IN FOR AN EVALUATION.

>> CAN YOU TELL ME ABOUT YOUR EXPERIENCED WHO HAVE DEVELOPED ADDICTIONS TO OPIOIDS.

THE ISSUE WITH YOUNG PEOPLE ENTREATING THEM FOR SUBSTANCE USE DISORDER.

IN GENERAL.

RARELY DOES SOMEONE USE ONLY ONE DRUG.

PEOPLE WHO USE OPIOIDS VERY OFTEN HAVE SMOKED AND USE MARIJUANA AND DONE OTHER THINGS.

BUT FOR YOUNG PEOPLE WHO'S GOT A SIGNIFICANT SUBSTANCE USE ISSUE THE KEY IS DEVELOPING THAT RAPPORT.

HELPING THEM UNDERSTAND THAT YOU'RE NOT THERE TO TRY TO PUNISH THEM OR PENALIZE THEM OR SCOLD THEM.

YOU ARE THERE TO TRY TO BE HELP THEM BE THEIR BEST SELVES.

WHAT DO THEY SEE AS THEIR BEST SELVES.

AND THEN VERY OFTEN ALMOST ALWAYS I CAN HELP THEM UNDERSTAND THE GULF BETWEEN THE TRACK BETWEEN THEIR SUBSTANCE USE.

YOU SEE IF YOU CAN HELP WHERE THEY'RE GOING WITH ALL OF THE SUBSTANCES IS NOT GOING TO END UP IN THEM ARRIVING AT THE DESTINATION THEY WOULD LIKE FOR THEMSELVES THEN YOU HAVE A CHANCE TO HAVE THAT YOUNGSTER DEVELOP THEIR OWN MOTIVATION TO STOP USING.

WHEN SOMEONE IS USING AN SUBSTANCE PARTICULARLY FITS A PROBLEMATIC LEVEL OF USE THERE'S A PART OF THAT IS DOING SOMETHING FOR THEM.

IT IS CALMING AN ANXIETY AND IT'S HELPING A MOOD OR PROVIDING THE PLEASURABLE EXPERIENCED OR SOMETHING.

SO YOU HAVE TO HELP THEM RECOGNIZE THAT THERE'S ALSO SOMETHING THAT THAT SUBSTANCE USE IS DOING THAT'S HURTING THEM AND HELP THEM FOCUS IN ON THE FACT THEY DON'T WANT THAT HURT.

THEY DON'T WANT THAT TO CONTINUE.

YOU'VE GOT THEM TO RECOGNIZE THAT HURT IS SOONER OR OVERRIDE WHATEVER BENEFIT THEY MIGHT BE GETTING OUT OF IT.

JUST LECTURING ABOUT IT ALMOST NEVER WORKS.

>> WELL, YEAH YOU HEAR A LOT ABOUT CHILDREN AND ADOLESCENTS THESE DAYS JUST HAVING A LOT MORE STRESSES.

A LOT MORE ANXIETY.

MAYBE SOCIAL MEDIA PLAYING A BIG PART OF THAT.

MAYBE THEY'RE EXPOSED TO A LOT MORE THAN OTHER GENERATIONS.

I WONDER IF THERE'S A CORRELATION BETWEEN HIGH ANXIETY AND HIGH ADDICTION ISSUES.

>> CERTAINLY.

FOR ADOLESCENTS AS FOR ADULTS.

IF YOU'VE SOMEBODY WHO HAS SOME PROBLEMS WITH DEPRESSION OR ANXIETY OR STRESS YOU AUTOMATICALLY BY DEFINITION HAVE SOMEONE WHO'S AT INCREASED RISK FOR SUBSTANCE USE.

ELEVATES MOOD AND CALMS DOWN ANXIETY ET CETERA.

I'VE GOT TO BE THINKING IF YOU'VE GOT A YOUNGSTER WITH A MENTAL HEALTH CONDITION YOU'VE GOT A YOUNGSTER WHO'S AT-RISK.

THAT'S A YOUNGSTER TO SPEND MORE TIME WITH.

HAVE MORE CONVERSATIONS ABOUT THOSE ISSUES.

TRY TO HELP THEM SUBSTANCES ARE GOING TO GIVE THE ALLUSION OF HELPING BUT IN THE LONG RUN WILL DESTROY AND OFTEN CONTRIBUTE TO PREMATURELY'S END THEIR LIVE.

>> KIDS GET HURT IN SPORTS.

SOMETIMES THAT REQUIRES SURGERIES.

THE TYPE OF TREATMENTS THAT YOU WOULD EXPECT OPIOIDS TO BE PRESCRIBED.

IS THAT SOMETHING THAT PARENTS SHOULD BE ON THE LOOK OUT FOR.

>> ABSOLUTELY.

PARENTS NEED TO RECOGNIZE THAT PARENTS ARE THE BEST EXAMPLE FOR YOUNG PEOPLE.

NOT SPORTS FIGURES.

NOT OTHER PEOPLE, PARENTS.

HOW PARENTS RELEASE TO SUBSTANCES THEIR CHILDREN ARE WATCHING.

EVEN IF THEY TELL THEY'RE WATCHING THEY'RE WATCHING.

PARENTS GOT TO REALIZE YOU'VE GOT TO BE THE GATEKEEPER.

YOU HAVE THE YOUNGSTER WHO'S AT-RISK FOR DEVELOPING AN INJURY.

IF THEY DEVELOP AN INJURY THEN THERE'S AN APPROPRIATE USE FOR OPIOID LEVEL PAIN RELIEF IN THE EARLY GOING.

BUT THE PARENT I WANT TO HAVE A CONVERSATION WITH THE DOCTOR.

PARENTS NEED TO BE EMPOWERED TO HAVE THE CONVERSATION WITH THE DOCTOR OR PRESCRIBER IS OPIOID LEVEL PAIN RELIEF ABSOLUTELY NECESSARY FOR MY CHILD FOR THIS PAIN PROBLEM THEY'RE HAVING.

IF SO HOW LONG WILL THEY NEED OPIOID LEVEL PAIN RELIEF BEFORE THEY STEP DOWN.

AND IF IT'S ONLY A COUPLE OF DAYS IT'S USUALLY A COUPLE OF DAYS THAT OPIOID LEVEL RELIEF IS NEEDED.

FOR THE ONE DAYS OR TWO DAYS.

I THE PARENT WANT TO HAVE THE CONTROL OVER THAT MEDICINE AND MAKE SURE THAT THE CHILD TAKES IT WHENEVER IT'S ABSOLUTELY NECESSARY.

WHICH THERE ARE RECOMMENDATIONS HOW TO DO IT.

I'M NOT GOING TO KEEP IT AROUND.

I'M NOT GOING TO HAVE IN MY HOUSE WHERE MY YOUNG PERSON MIGHT HAVE ACCESS TO IT.

AND THEN THE OTHER PART OF IT IS THAT PARENTS NEED TO RECOGNIZE IF YOU HAVE AN ELITE ATHLETE OR AN ATHLETE IN GENERAL.

MOST HIGH SCHOOL STUDENTS ARE INVOLVED IN SOME SORT OF ATHLETIC ACTIVITY.

MANY MORE ARE THAT ARE NOT WHICH IS A GOOD THING.

PARENTS NEED TO RECOGNIZE THAT POSES A POTENTIAL RISK.

THEY NEED TO BE HAVING CONVERSATIONS.

SO THERE'S A LOT OF SPENDING TIME WITH KIDS.

HAVING PRODUCTIVE CONVERSATIONS WITH KIDS AND ALSO HAVING FAMILY TIME WITH YOUNG PEOPLE.

THE RESEARCH TELLS THAT JUST FAMILY TIME HAVING VERY CLEAR FAMILY RULES AND EXPECTATIONS WHAT'S ACCEPTABLE REGARDING SUBSTANCES.

THOSE ARE VERY, VERY EFFECTIVE MECHANISMS TO DECREASE THEIR YOUNG PEOPLE OF DEVELOPING A SUBSTANCE ABUSE PROBLEM.

>> DOC, THANK YOU FOR BEING ON THE SHOW.

>> WE'LL BE RIGHT BACK.

>> NEXT I'M JOINED BY KERRE WIMBERLY.

THANKS FOR COMING ON THE SHOW.

>> GLAD TO BE HERE.

>> CAN YOU TELL ABOUT THE ADDICTION PREVENTION COALITION.

>> WE'RE A NONPROFIT IN BIRMINGHAM.

WE'VE BEEN AROUND FOR 15 YEARS.

ORIGINALLY BROUGHT TOGETHER BY FAMILY WHOSE SON WOULD YOU SEE STRUGGLING WITH A OPIOID USE DISORDER.

ONCE THEY GOT BETTER THEY DECIDED TO PUT TOGETHER A ORGANIZATION TO FIND THE RESOURCES THEY NEED.

BOTH THE PERSON AND THE FAMILY.

WE'VE EVOLVED AND NOW WE FOCUS ON AWARENESS, PREVENTION AND CONNECTION.

CONNECTION TO RESOURCES AND WE ALL TO BE A CONNECTER OF ORGANIZATIONS THAT ARE WORKING IN THIS FIELD ACROSS BIRMINGHAM AND ACROSS THE STATE.

>> BUT I WANTED TO ASK THAT TAKES AWARENESS OF THE SITUATION.

TELL ME MORE ABOUT WHAT ARE SOME OF THE OPIOID ADDICTION ISSUES FACING ALABAMA YOUTH FROM YOUR PERSPECTIVE.

ONE OF THE THINGS THAT'S HAPPENED ALL ACROSS THE COUNTRY BUT CERTAINLY IN ALABAMA THERE'S SO MUCH ACCESS.

STUDENTS AND TEENS HAVE ACCESS TO SUBSTANCES MORE THAN THEY HAVE BEFORE.

ALSO THERE'S A CHANGE IN THE PERCEPTION OF RISK IN THIS AGE-GROUP.

20 YEARS AGO OUR 30 YEARS AGO THERE WAS A CERTAIN FEAR OF SUBSTANCES.

WE'RE SEEING THAT DECLINE SO THAT IT'S SEEN AS NOT SCARY OR NOT UNSAFE.

SO WHEN TEENS ARE PUT IN SITUATIONS WHERE THEIR PEERS ARE USING OR EXPERIMENTING WITH SUBSTANCES AND ENCOURAGING THERE'S NOT AS MUCH RESISTANCE.

AS AN ORGANIZATION AS A COALITION THAT'S SOMETHING WE FIGHT TRYING TO INCREASE THAT PERCEPTION WITH RISK BOTH WITH THE STUDENTS AND WITH PARENTS.

>> I UNDERSTAND THAT THERE'S A LOT MORE OF THIS BUYING DRUGS ONLINE BASICALLY THROUGH SOCIAL MEDIA.

KIDS, YOU KNOW JUST ADOLESCENTS WHATEVER AGE UNDER 18 THEY'RE GOING TO BE SO MUCH MORE ADEPT AND EXPERTS AT USING SOCIAL MEDIA THAN ADULTS.

YES WE'RE SEEING A LOT MORE OF THAT.

SO STUDENTS OF COURSE SPEND A LOT OF THEIR TIME ONLINE AND WHAT WE HAVE SEEN IN THE LAST COUPLE OF YEARS IS SO MUCH MORE SELLING OF DRUGS AND EVEN ALCOHOL ON SOCIAL MEDIA SITES.

SO ONE OF THE THINGS WE ARE ALWAYS TALKING ABOUT WHEN WE GET THE OPPORTUNITY IS TO EDUCATE PARENTS THAT THIS IS GOING ON, AND TO ENCOURAGE OUR PARENTS TO INVESTIGATE, TO LEARN ALL THEY CAN CAN WHAT'S GOING ON AND WHAT THEIR CHILDREN ARE BEING EXPOSED TO SO THAT THEY CAN BE KNOWLEDGEABLE AND HAVE THOSE KNOWLEDGEABLE CONVERSATIONS.

AN EXAMPLE WHAT YOU'RE TALKING ABOUT MAYBE IT'S EXAM TIME AND A STUDENT IS STUDYING, AND UP LATE ONE NIGHT AND FINDS THEY'RE FEELING ANXIOUS AND THEY CAN'T GO TO SLEEP.

THEY'LL GET ON SOCIAL MEDIA.

SNAPCHAT IS THE PRIMARY SITE.

AND WITHIN 3 MINUTES THEY CAN CONNECT SOMEBODY SELLING SUBSTANCES.

THAT PERSON WILL DELIVER IT TO THEIR HOME UNDER THE MAT.

AND NOW TODAY ONE PILL CAN KILL.

THE PRESENCE OF FENTANYL LIKE A XANAX OR ADDERALL IS A ENOUGH FOREPERSON THAT DOESN'T USE REGULARLY IT'S A LIFE AND DEATH SITUATION WE'RE WORKING ON RIGHT NOW.

>> WE'RE HEARING A LOT MORE ABOUT FENTANYL.

JUST IN TERMS OF THE PSYCHOLOGY, WHAT IS -- WHAT DO YOU ALL FIND ABOUT WHY YOUNG PEOPLE CHOOSE TO ABUSE OPIOIDS IN PARTICULAR?

>> WELL FIRST OF ALL IT'S A MIX.

IT'S A STEW.

THERE'S A LOT OF DIFFERENT ISSUE.

HOWEVER, WHAT WE DO SEE MANY, MANY TEENS EXPERIMENT.

THE FRONTAL LOBE IS NOT FULLY DEVELOPED.

DECISION MAKING COMES LATER IN THE LATER 20s.

THERE IS THAT SPIRIT OF ADVENTURE AND INTEREST.

THAT CAUSES THEM TO TRY IT.

WHAT WE'RE SEEING IS WHEN YOU STUDY PREVENTION THERE ARE FACTORS SUCH AS GENETICS THEY'RE SAYING 50% HAVE A GENETIC SO IF YOU HAVE SUBSTANCE USE ISSUE IN YOUR FAMILY YOU NEED TO HAVE THOSE CONVERSATIONS.

USE IN THE HOME.

BUT ALSO SOCIAL CONNECTIONS.

WHEN KIDS ARE REALLY CONNECTED WITH THEIR PEERS AND THEY HAVE AN ACTIVITY THEY HAVE A SPORT, THEY HAVE SOMETHING THEY'RE DRIVEN TO DO AND DO WELL.

ALSO MENTAL THE.

WE'RE SEEING THAT ALL ACROSS THE BOARD COMING OFF THE PANDEMIC.

CAN LEAD TO USE AND CONTINUED USE EVEN AFTER EXPERIMENTING.

>> THAT ECHOES WHAT DR. TAYLOR WAS SAYING ABOUT RECOGNIZING THE WARNING FACTORS.

THERE ARE A LOT OF PARENTS WATCHING THIS.

I KNOW THERE ARE LIKE I SAID WARNING SIGNS.

CERTAINLY EMOJIS ON SOCIAL MEDIA.

THESE THINGS OFTEN EVOLVE.

GET EDUCATED ON THINGS ON THAT.

AT OUR APC BHMORP WE HAVE A PAGE THAT'S A PARENT TOOLBOX WHICH IS PREVENTION INFORMATION IT HAS EVERYTHING FROM SIGNS TO SYMPTOMS TO DISCUSSION STARTERS TO EDUCATION THAT YOU NEED TO KNOW BEFORE YOU TALK TO YOUR TEEN SO THAT YOU HAVE THAT EDUCATED DISCUSSION.

WE ALSO HAVE A PAGE WHY WON'T THEY STOP.

IT GIVES THEM ALL KINDS OF INFORMATION ALL THE WAY HEY I THINK WE NEED TO DO TO INFORMATION ABOUT ASSESSMENT TO INFORMATION ABOUT TREATMENT AND SUPPORT FOR THE FAMILY.

PARENTS IT'S IMPORTANT FOR THE PARENTS TO GET SUPPORT WHEN THEY'RE IN THAT SITUATION FOR EDUCATION AND FOR PEOPLE WHO'RE STRUGGLING WITH THE SAME THING.

>> IT'S TOUGH ENOUGH TO BE THE PARENT OF A TEENAGER.

IN THE BEST OF CIRCUMSTANCES.

YOU THROW IN SOMETHING LIKE ADDICTION.

THE SOCIAL MEDIA THE SOCIAL ANXIETY AND PRESSURE.

I'M SURE PARENTS WHEN THEY FIND OUT THERE ARE THESE RESOURCES THAT CAN BE HELPFUL.

SOMETIMES WE HAVE A HARD TIME OF PARENTS COMING TO THESE GROUPS BECAUSE OF STIGMA AND SHAME.

ESPECIALLY FROM A PARENT PERSPECTIVE GUILT.

>> HOW CAN WE ADDRESS THAT.

THAT'S A GREAT POINT.

OH NO I'M GOING TO BE JUDGED AS A PARENT FOR THIS IS MY FAULT.

HOW CAN WE ADDRESS THAT STIGMA SO FEWER PARENTS ARE NOT RELUCTANT.

>> JUST HAVING THE CONVERSATION IN PUBLIC STARTS TO BREAKAWAY AND NORMALIZE THE STRUGGLE.

THE GOAL IS TO TREAT THIS ISSUE LIKE ANY OTHER ISSUE THAT WE WOULD WITH OUR FAMILY MEMBERS INSTEAD OF IT CARRYING THE SHAME.

THE SECOND PART IS TO GET INVOLVED WITH PEOPLE WHO CAN HELP YOU.

THERE'S THINGS WE CAN DO WITH OUR KIDS EDUCATING THEM AND DEMONSTRATING WHAT WE THEM WHEN WE NEED HELP WE GET HELP.

WE'VE GOT A STRUGGLE.

HAVING A CONVERSATION THERE.

FOR PARENTS TO FIND THOSE FAMILY SUPPORT GROUPS.

THERE'S SOME IN PERSON AND SOME VIRTUAL.

AND WHAT IT LOOKS LIKE AND WHAT IT MEANS IT'S A BRAIN DISORDER AND IT'S NOT A MORAL FAILING.

SO IMPORTANT AND GOOD AND BAD.

WE'RE NOT DOING THAT ANYMORE.

BEING AROUND OTHER PARENTS.

WHEN YOU'RE NOT YOU THINK YOU'RE THE ONLY ONE.

JUST LIKE THE PERSON STRUGGLING WITH THE SUBSTANCES THE PARENTS FEEL THEY'RE THE ONLY ONE STRUGGLING.

THERE'S SUCH A RELIEF WALKING IN THAT ROOM AND KNOWING WE'RE AMONG PEERS THERE.

IT SOUNDS THERE'S A LOT MORE RESPECT, THERE'S A LOT MORE PRESSURE ON KIDS, THERE'S A LOT MORE DANGER OUT THERE.

THERE'S A LOT MORE RESOURCES THANKS TO GROUPS LIKE YOURS.

>> START WITH YOUR FAMILY PHYSICIAN.

THEY ARE EDUCATED NOW AND CAN HAVE THOSE CONVERSATIONS AND CAN LEAD YOU TO THE NEXT RIGHT PLACE.

TRY TO GET OVERWHELMED WHERE YOU NEED TO GO.

AS FAR AS TREATMENT.

JUST START THE CONVERSATION.

HAVE THE ASSESSMENT.

NOT EVERYBODY IS AT THE SAME LEVEL OF CARE.

IT COULD BE AN EARLY INTERVENTION WITH A COUNSELOR.

BUT THOSE RESOURCES ARE THERE.

>> THANK YOU SO MUCH FOR COMING ON THE SHOW AND SHARING YOUR EXPERTISE AND THANK YOU FOR YOUR ADVOCACY.

>> THANK YOU SO MUCH FOR HAVING ME.

>> WE'LL BE RIGHT BACK.

>> NEXT I'M JOINED BY DR. LUKE ENERGISER.

>> THANKS FOR COMIC ON.

THANKS FOR HAVING ME.

>> THE STATE IS GOING TO USE THIS SETTLEMENT TO TRY TO PREVENT YOUTH FROM BECOMING ADDICTED IN THE FIRST PLACE.

AND THEN I WANT TO EXPLORE THE TREATMENT SIDE.

I KNOW YOU WHAT YOU ALL DO AT ALTAPOINT.

WE HAVE AN ADDICTION MEDICINE FELLOWSHIP WITH THE UNIVERSITY OF SOUTH ALABAMA.

WE'RE ON THE FRONT IN TERMS OF EDUCATING THE NEXT GENERATION OF DRUG EXPERTS.

AND WAY DO HELP PEOPLE WITH OPIOID WITHDRAWAL IN OUR CENTER.

WE KEEP HEARING ABOUT FENTANYL AND THE PROBLEM THAT THIS DRUG IS CAUSING.

IT COMES IN MANY DIFFERENT FORMS.

HOW MUCH ARE YOU SEEING THAT FENTANYL BECOMING A PROBLEM FOR ADDICTION PATIENTS.

THIS IS REALLY THE BIG ISSUE RIGHT NOW.

COCAINE, EVEN ONE OF THE SCARIER BEING PRESSED INTO TABLETS THAT LOWER TAX OR XANAX OR ADDERALL.

WHAT IS REALLY DANGEROUS ABOUT FENTANYL IT'S ABOUT 50 TIMES MORE POTENT THAN HEROIN.

A TINY TINY AMOUNT OF THE DRUG COULD BE ENOUGH FOR THE PERSON TO HAVE AN OVERDOSE AND POTENTIALLY DIE.

>> WHEN YOU SEE SOMEONE COME IN WITH A FENTANYL PROBLEM HOW DO YOU GO ABOUT DECIDING AS A DOCTOR HOW TO TREAT WHAT MEDICATIONS TO USE.

WALK ME THROUGH YOUR PROCESS.

IT REALLY DEPENDS THERE'S KIND OF A COLLABORATION WITH A PATIENT TO TRY TO DETERMINE WHAT THEIR READY FOR.

ONE OF THE MOST DIFFICULT THINGS WHEN SOMEBODY IS STARTING TO GET CLEAN IS WITHDRAWAL.

THAT CAN BE INCREDIBLY UNCOMFORTABLE.

WE TRY TO HELP PEOPLE THROUGH THAT EARLY PHASE.

IF SOMEBODY TRIES TO QUIT AN OPIOID ON THEIR OWN.

THAT'S WHAT GETS THEM TO GET BACK TO USING THAT DRUG AGAIN.

SO FOR A SERIOUS SERIOUS CASE WITH SOMEBODY WITH SERIOUS WITHDRAWAL IS THAT WHAT SOMETIMES LEAD TO INPATIENT CARE.

>> IT MAY.

WHEN WE DECIDE WHAT LEVEL OF CARE SOMEONE SHOULD GO TO.

THERE'S OUTPATIENT, AND PARTIAL HOSPITAL AND INPATIENT PROGRAMS.

WHETHER THEY'RE AT-RISK FOR WITHDRAWAL.

THE OTHER IS WHETHER THEY'RE LIKELY TO BE ABLE TO STAY AWAY FROM DRUGS.

BECAUSE THAT'S REALLY A DANGEROUS TIME.

AND SOMEBODY THAT WE HAVE A LOT OF DIFFICULTY DOING THAT MIGHT NEED TO GO TO AN INPATIENT PROGRAM SO THEY'RE IN IS A SAFE AND SECURE THAT'S DRUG FREE.

THERE'S A LOT MORE FOCUS HERE AT THE STATE LEVEL ON MENTAL HEALTH.

MORE AWARENESS ABOUT THE ISSUE IN GENERAL.

HOW OFTEN DOES SOMEONE IN MENTAL CRISIS HOW MUCH ARE THEY AT-RISK SOMEBODY WHO COULD BECOME ADDICTED TO OPIOIDS.

IT REALLY CUTS BOTH WAYS.

SO PEOPLE THAT ARE USING DRUGS AND ALCOHOL CAN BE MORE VULNERABLE TO MENTAL HEALTH AND PEOPLE WITH MENTAL HEALTH ISSUES MAY TURN TO DRUGS ALCOHOL AS A WAY OF COPING THAT.

WHEN WE SEE SOMEBODY WE ARE TRYING TO TEASE OUT BOTH OF THOSE THING.

WE HAVE TO LOOK AT TREATMENT TAKING CARE OF BOTH PROBLEMS AT THE SAME TIME.

SO WE REALLY NEED TO MAKE SURE WE'RE TREATING THE WHOLE PERSON AND ALL OF THE THINGS THEY MAY BE STRUGGLING WITH AT THAT TIME.

>> I UNDERSTAND YOU HAVE SOME EXPERIENCED ENTREATING MILITARY VETERANS.

AND I WONDERED HOW OFTEN THOSE RETURNING FROM WAR WITH PHYSICAL OR MENTAL INJURIES ARE ALSO AT-RISK OF ADDICTION ISSUES?

>> I STARTED OUT MY CAREER AS A ARMY PSYCHIATRIST.

UNFORTUNATELY VETERANS ARE AT A HIGHER RISK FOR PROBLEMS WITH DRUGS AND ALCOHOL ABUSE.

VETERANS HAVE BEEN THROUGH A LOT OF TRAUMA AND REPEATED COMBAT DEPLOYMENTS.

ONE WAY TO COPE WITH IS USING DRUGS OR ALCOHOL TO NUMB THOSE MEMORIES AND THOSE EMOTIONS.

SO IT CAN BE A REALLY DIFFICULT THING FOR VETERANS.

>> WE HAVE JUST A COUPLE OF MINUTES LEFT.

I WANT TO ASK YOU ABOUT THIS ISSUE OF STIGMA.

WE KEEP HEARING THERE IS STILL A LOT OF STIGMA THAT EXISTS ABOUT ADDICTION.

ABOUT TREATMENT.

SOME FOLKS MAY BE RELUCTANT TO SEEK TREATMENT THEMSELVES OR INSIST ON A LOVED ONE SEEKING TREATMENT FOR FEAR HOW THAT MAY BE PERCEIVED.

HOW DO WE COMBAT THAT.

AND WHAT IS YOUR ADVICE FOR THOSE PEOPLE.

>> THAT'S THE BIGGEST PROBLEM IS THAT STIGMA.

SO SOMETHING THAT I HEAR COMMONLY WELL SOMEBODY WANTS TO STOP USING DRUGS OR ALCOHOL THEY JUST STOP.

SO YOU KNOW REALLY THE FIRST STEP IF YOU HAVE A LOVED ONE OR FRIEND THAT'S STRUGGLING WITH ADDICTION IS APPROACHING THEM IN A NONJUDGMENTAL AND COMPASSIONATE WAY AND IN ENCOURAGING THEM TO GET HELP.

IT'S NOT ABOUT JUDGMENT.

IT'S REALLY NEEDING HELP AND SUPPORT THROUGH THOSE VERY DIFFICULT DAYS OF EARLY RECOVERY.

THAT'S A GREAT MESSAGE.

THANK YOU DOCTOR FOR COMING ON THE SHOW AND SHARING YOUR EXPERTISE AS SOMEONE WHO WORKS IN THIS EVERY DAY.

>> THANKS SO MUCH FOR HAVING ME.

WE'LL BE RIGHT BACK.

THAT'S OUR SHOW FOR TONIGHT.

THANKS FOR WATCHING.

I WANT TO OFFER SPECIAL THANKS TO BARBARA FOWLER AND THE FOWLER DAVIS FOR CHANGE AGENCY FOR THEIR INDISPENSABLE HELP IN PUTTING THIS SPECIAL EPISODE TOGETHER.

COULDN'T HAVE DONE IT WITHOUT YOU.

CAPITOL JOURNAL WILL RETURN NEXT FRIDAY NIGHT AT 7:30 RIGHT HERE ON ALABAMA PUBLIC TELEVISION.

FOR OUR CAPITOL JOURNAL TEAM, I'M TODD STACY.