New Statistics Show Rising Concerns from Parents Around Opioid Epidemic
Dr. Bonnie Milas, professor of Clinical Anesthesiology & Critical Care Medicine at the University of Pennsylvania, has a uniquely personal stake in the battle against the opioid epidemic. After tragically losing two sons to accidental opioid overdoses, she is now on a mission to rally parents and others to be ready to rescue in case of an opioid emergency.
Opioid overdose is the leading cause of accidental death in the United States, and many people do not realize opioid overdoses can happen anywhere and at any time, most commonly in our own homes. Naloxone is a medication designed to reverse the effects of a life-threatening opioid emergency and can be used to revive someone during an overdose while waiting for emergency personnel to arrive.
Younger generations are particularly at risk for opioid overdose as fentanyl poisonings continue to be on the rise. In 2022, 22 high school age adolescents died each week from overdoses driven by fentanyl-laced prescription pills.
According to a new survey, nearly 9 in 10 parents believe that normalizing the topic of opioid overdose and reversal treatments like naloxone could help save lives, and that a more robust national conversation could be part of the solution.
In addition, 90 percent of survey respondents agree that schools, public libraries, dorms and professionals who work with teenagers and college kids should have access to naloxone. Increased naloxone access could already be making a big impact, as the Centers for Disease Control & Prevention (CDC) recently announced provisional data on drug overdose deaths in 2023, finding there was a 3 percent decrease in deaths compared to 2022.
As back to school quickly approaches, Dr. Milas will be available on July 18 to discuss the “Ready to Rescue” campaign, which aims to raise awareness about opioid risks and educate the public, including parents, on how to be prepared with naloxone to help save a life in an opioid overdose emergency. She will also discuss how her personal experience has fueled her passion for calling attention to the dangers of opioid use in addition to:
The importance of breaking the stigma associated with opioid overdose, because accidents happen
How to talk about opioids and overdose with children, and why parents should always be prepared, especially parents of children going to college
The signs of an opioid emergency and how everyone has the power to save a life.
CAN YOU TELL US WHY THIS IS SUCH A PERSONAL MISSION FOR YOU?
WHAT IS “READY TO RESCUE” ALL ABOUT?
WHAT ARE SIGNS OF OPIOID EMERGENCY AND THE BEST ACTIONS TO TAKE?
IS THERE A STIGMA ASSOCIATED WITH OPIOID OVERDOSE AND WHY?
HOW DO YOU BELIEVE PARENTS CAN HELP WITH THIS ISSUE… AND WHERE CAN THE AUDIENCE FIND MORE INFORMATION?
BIO:
DR. BONNIE MILAS
Bonnie Milas, MD, is a mother and clinical professor of anesthesiology and critical care medicine at the University of Pennsylvania. Dr. Milas is an outspoken advocate for those suffering from opioid use disorder (OUD) and is painfully aware of the impact it has as she lost both her sons to the disorder. Through her work locally with the Bucks County Drug and Alcohol Commission and nationally with the American Society of Anesthesiologists (ASA), she is an ardent educator of naloxone overdose rescue.
Dr. Milas’ clinical practice involves caring for patients undergoing cardiopulmonary surgical procedures and those in the intensive care unit following surgery. Helping to deal with the ravages of infected heart valves from intravenous drug use, she handles the post-operative management of opioid withdrawal and pain control. Dr. Milas’ writing on saving lives of those suffering from OUD has appeared in The Philadelphia Inquirer and USA Today.
Interview is courtesy: Emergent BioSolutions; References available
