Opiate abuse is on the rise in Ohio, and teenagers are throwing opiate parties called "skittles parties." They grab handfuls of pain pills from a bowl at the door and chase the pills with alcohol, according to a report.
Christian drug rehabs and non-faith based drug rehabs are hoping to influence Ohio teens to consider a drug rehab if they have a problem with prescription pain pills. Many Christian drug rehabs and non -faith based drug rehabs accept insurance to treat addiction. Because Ohio teenagers are still legally covered under their parents’ insurance policies, they are eligible to attend a Christian drug rehab or non-faith based drug rehab at no out of pocket cost, in many cases.
Currently, prescription opioids cause more fatal overdoses than any other drug in Ohio. Accidental opioid overdoses are now the leading cause of injury-related deaths in the Buckeye State, surpassing auto accidents. Drug rehabs understand the problem that Ohio faces is common in states across the America. An even bigger problem, however, is the fact that many teens die from overdose before they ever have a chance to attend a Christian drug rehab or non-faith based drug rehab.
A new play, written by Jacqui Loewy, debuts this year in Ohio public schools and at community resource centers across the state. The play hopes to combat the drug problem for Ohio teens. The play is called, "Legally Addicted." It raises awareness about the prescription drug problem in Ohio. The play runs 45 minutes.
After the performances, substance abuse field experts will discuss preventative drug abuse measures and field questions from the audience.
Vince Caraffi is a supervisor with the Cuyahoga County Board of Health in Ohio. He and others from the county’s Opiate Task Force were involved in creating the play. Caraffi states, "I thought it was crucial that people know how serious this is because four people in Ohio die every day from opiate addiction. What we’ve also seen is that opiates have become a gateway drug to heroin. An 80mg oxycontin pill is about $80, but heroin is a lot cheaper."
Caraffi also stated that overdoses don’t just happen to famous people. Non-celebrities in Ohio and other states around the country are dying all the time from drug addiction, without mention in the media. Drug rehabs and Christian drug rehabs are well aware of this fact. They hope Ohio teens will enroll in one of their programs before it’s too late.
