Overdose Epidemic

♪ ♪ UP NEXT ON "CYCLE OF HEALTH,."

>> WELCOME TO THE SEASON 15 PREMIER OF "CYCLE OF HEALTH," I'M Dr. RICH O'NEILL.

TONIGHT WE ARE DISCUSSING WITH THE COMMUNITY TO DISCUSS TREATMENT AND PREVENTION AS A STATEWIDE INITIATE TO ADDRESS THE OVERDOSE DEP.

>> THIS IS A SUBSTANTIAL PROBLEM IN OUR COMMUNITY, A SUBSTANTIAL PROBLEM IN THE WHOLE COUNTRY.

♪ ♪ >> HELLO AND WELCOME TO THE SEASON 15 PREMIERE OF CYCLE OF HEALTH, I'M DR. RICH O'NEILL.

TONIGHT'S TOPIC: THE OVERDOSE EPIDEMIC.

ACCORDING TO THE ONONDAGA COUNTY HEALTH DEPARTMENT, OVER 100 UNINTENDED OPIOID-RELATED DEATHS HAVE OCCURRED EVERY YEAR SINCE 2018 IN ONONDAGA COUNTY ALONE, WITH NUMBERS CLIMBING AS HIGH AS 186 IN 2021.

TONIGHT WE'RE MEETING WITH THREE EXPERTS FROM THE COMMUNITY TO DISCUSS ADDICTION, TREATMENT, AND PREVENTION AS PART OF A STATEWIDE INITIATIVE TO ADDRESS THE OVERDOSE EPIDEMIC.

THEY ARE: MS. MICHELLE MCELROY: CHIEF PROGRAM OFFICER AT ACR HEALTH DR. BRIAN JOHNSON: PROFESSOR EMERITUS AT SUNY UPSTATE AND RECENTLY RETIRED DIRECTOR OF ADDICTION MEDICINE AT UPSTATE UNIVERSITY HOSPITAL, AND MS. BETHANI RAHRLE-WHITE: PREVENTION AND COMMUNITY EDUCATOR AT PREVENTION NETWORK CNY THANK YOU ALL FOR BEING HERE.

Dr. JOHN SON, LET'S START OFF BY DEFINE ADDICTION FOR US.

>> REPEATED HARM FROM USE.

>> REPETEED HARM FROM USE.

>> IT'S ALWAYS FUN TO HAVE A GOOD TIME, BUT WITH ADDICTION, YOU URGENTLY WANT THE DRUG EVEN THOUGH YOU KNOW IT'S HARMING YOU.

>> YOU KEEP USING IT EVEN THOUGH IT'S MESSING UP YOUR LIFE AND THAT'S THE DEFINITION OF ADDICTION.

NOW, WHAT ARE OPIOIDS?

>> OPIOIDS ARE A NATURALLY OCCURRING HORMONE.

IT'S MADE IN YOUR BRAIN.

IT'S CALLED INDODGE NEWS MORPHINE OR ENDORPHIN.

IT FLOWS THROUGH YOUR BLOOD AND HAS DIFFERENT RECEPTOR SITES IN YOUR BRAIN, YOUR GUT, THE IMMUNE SYSTEM.

IT DOES A LOT OF DIFFERENT THINGS BUT ESPECIALLY IT REGULATES HUMAN CLOSENESS.

>> HUMAN CLOSENESS.

HOW DOES THAT WORK?

>> WE ALL WANT TO BE CLOSE TO PEOPLE, BUT WE DON'T KNOW CONSCIOUSLY THAT SAY IF WE HAVE A GOOD TIME, THE FOUR OF US TONIGHT, WE WILL HAVE MORE ENDORPHIN ACTIVITY IN OUR BODY AND IT WILL FEEL GOOD.

>> SO WE ENJOY BEING WITH EACH OTHER.

>> WE FEEL GOOD TOGETHER AND THE BODY GENERATES OPIOIDS AND IT MAKES US FEEL GOOD NATURALLY.

>> IT'S VERY IMPORTANT IN TERMS OF UNDERSTANDING ADDICTION BECAUSE IF YOU ARE WELL RELATED, LIKE US, AND YOU TAKE A OXYCODONE, IT FEELS TERRIBLE.

BECAUSE IT'S LIKE GOLDY LOCKS, YOU WANT THE TONE TO BE JUST RIGHT.

IF IT'S TOO MUCH, IT FEELS BAD.

AND IF IT'S TOO LITTLE, IT FEELS BAD.

SO IT'S THE PEOPLE THAT HAVE TROUBLE RELATING, OFTEN BECAUSE THEY HAVE UNDERLYING CHILDHOOD TRAUMA, WHO GET ADDICTED.

THEY FEEL TERRIBLE ALL THE TIME BECAUSE THEY CAN'T BE CLOSE TO PEOPLE.

THEY TAKE ONE OXYCODONE AND THEY FEEL GREAT!

>> SO IT MAKES UP FOR THE EFFECTS ON THEIR BRAIN FROM THE CHILDHOOD TRAUMA AND THEY END UP FEELING THE WAY WE DO WHEN WE ARE JUST NATURALLY INTERACTING WITH PEOPLE.

>> YEAH.

>> HOW BIG OF A PROBLEM IS THIS IN OUR COMMUNITY?

>> THIS IS A SUBSTANTIAL PROBLEM IN OUR COMMUNITY.

IT'S A SUBSTANTIAL PROBLEM IF THE WHOLE COUNTRY WHICH IS PART OF THE REASON, AS YOU MENTIONED THAT THERE IS A STATEWIDE INITIATIVE TO ADDRESS THE OVERDOSE CRISIS.

BUT THE REALITY IS THAT THE NUMBER OF INDIVIDUALS WHO ARE SUFFERING FROM OPIATE ADDICTION IN OUR COMMUNITY IS NOT UNREPRESENTATIVE OF WHAT THAT LOOKS LIKE NATIONWIDE.

A.C.R.

HEALTH OPERATES SYRINGE EXCHANGE PROGRAMS THROUGH THROUGHOUT OUR REGION AND WE CONSISTENTLY SERVE THROUGHOUT THE REGION OVER THE,000 PEOPLE EVERY YEAR WITH SYRINGE EXCHANGE AND HEALTH DEPARTMENT REDUCTION SUPPLIES.

AND THAT IS ONLY THE VERY SMALL PERCENTAGE OF INDIVIDUALS WHO WOULD CHOOSE TO COME IN AND ACCESS SYRINGE EXCHANGE PROGRAM SERVICES.

>> SO THAT 2,000 PEOPLE COMING IN, ONLY A VERY SMALL PERCENTAGE OF THE PEOPLE WHO ARE ACTUALLY ADDICTED AND DOING INTRAVENOUS DRUGS.

>> ABSOLUTELY.

YES.

MOST INDIVIDUALS, WHEN THEY START USING ARE IN THE EARLY STAGES OF ADDICTION, DO NOT COME TO A SYRINGE EXCHANGE PROGRAM.

THAT IS USUALLY A PLACE AND A RESOURCE WHERE PEOPLE COME AFTER THEY HAVE BEEN INJECTING FOR A PERIOD OF TIME.

>> BETHANY, PREVENTION NETWORK, WE GET SYRINGE EXCHANGE, HARM REDUCTION TREATMENT AT A.C.R.

HEALTH.

WHAT IS YOUR AGENCY PROVIDE?

HOW DO YOU FIT INTO THIS PUZZLE?

>> WELL, PREVENTION NETWORK IN PARTICULAR ONONDAGA COUNTY'S PREVENTION PROVIDER FOR SUBSTANCE USE AND ALCOHOLISM.

IT REALLY JUST MEANS THAT WE ARE REALLY GOOD AT REFERRING PEOPLE TO THE RIGHT PROGRAMS THAT MIGHT BE OF GOOD FIT FOR THEM.

AND WE REALLY FOCUS ON THE PREVENTION PIECE.

WE ARE IN SCHOOLS, AND IN OUR COMMUNITY REALLY TRYING TO EDUCATE SO PEOPLE CAN MAKE THE BEST DECISIONS FOR THEMSELVES WHEN THEY'RE PRESENTED WITH THESE DIFFICULT CHOICES.

>> ARE THEY GOING TO GET ARRESTED WHEN THEY COME TO YOUR AGENCY?

>> ABSOLUTELY NOT.

>> I IMAGINE IF I WAS ADDICTED THAT WOULD BE ONE OF THE FIRST THINGS-- AND NOT FOR GOING TO GET A SYRINGE.

YOU ARE NOT GOING TO GET ARRESTED.

>> THAT'S AN EXCELLENT QUESTION.

THE SYRINGE EXCHANGE PROGRAM WAS DESIGNED BY NEW YORK STATE TO BE AN ANONYMOUS PROGRAM.

ANYBODY WHO COMES TO THE EXCHANGE PROGRAM, THE INFORMATION CANNOT BE BE DISCLOSED TO LAW ENFORCEMENT, PROBATION OR PAROLE BECAUSE THE SYSTEM WAS DESIGNED THAT WAY BY NEW YORK STATE ON PURPOSE.

>> WHAT EXACTLY IS THE SYRINGE EXCHANGE PROGRAM?

PEOPLE SHOW UP AT YOUR DOOR AND WHAT HAPPENS?

>> SURE, THE GENERAL PROCESS IS IF SOMEONE PRESENTS AT THE SYRINGE EXCHANGE AND THEY'RE NEW, THEY'RE GOING TO COME IN.

THEY'RE GOING TO COMPLETE AN INTAKE WHICH IS A SHORT INTAKE WITH US.

AND WE ARE GOING TO ASSIGN THEM A UNIQUE IDENTIFIER CODE.

AND THAT UNIQUE CODE IS THEN PUT ON TO A CARD FOR THEM THAT THEY CAN CARRY THAT PROVES THAT THEY ARE AFFILIATED WITH THE SYRINGE EXCHANGE PROGRAM AND IN LAWFUL POSSESSION OF SYRINGES AND OTHER SUPPLIES SO THAT THEY CANNOT BE ARRESTED OR CITED FOR THOSE THINGS BY LAW ENFORCEMENT.

AND THEN THEY CAN COME BACK AT ANY TIME WHEN WE ARE OPEN IN ORDER TO BRING BACK USED SUPPLIES.

THAT IS PART OF OUR MANDATE, TO MAKE SURE THE SUPPLIES ARE THEN PROPERLY DISPOSED OF IN A BIO HAZARDOUS SECURE MANNER AND THEN WE EXCHANGE.

WE TAKE BACK USED SUPPLIES AND PROVIDE STERILE SUPPLIES IN EXCHANGE.

>> THE GOAL IS TO KEEP PEOPLE FROM GETTING AIDS OR HEPATITIS OR-- EXPL ABSOLUTELY.

SYRINGE EXCHANGE IS THE SINGLE MOST EFFECTIVE BIO MEDICAL INTERVENTION DESIGNED FOR H.I.V.

IT IS MORE EFFECTIVE THAN PREP OR ANY OTHER PREVENTION STRATEGY BECAUSE NOT SHARING INJECTION EQUIPMENT.

IN THE EARLY DAYS OF THE H.I.V.

EPIDEMIC IN NEW YORK STATE, MORE THAN 50% OF NEW INFECTIONS WERE FROM SHARED INJECTION EQUIPMENT.

AND BECAUSE OF THE EFFICACY AND WIDESPREAD USE OF SYRINGE EXCHANGE IN NEW YORK, NEW INFECTIONS FROM SHARED INJECTION EQUIPMENT FOR H.I.V.

ARE LESS THAN 2%.

>> WOW.

NOW THAT HAS BEEN EFFECTIVE WHAT AN INCREDIBLE STATISTIC.

SO YOU WOULD PERHAPS HIVE HOIF SOMEBODY COMES TO YOUR DOOR AND YOU MIGHT SEND THEM TO A.C.R.

HEALTH IF THEY'RE INJECTING DRUGS.

>> ABSOLUTELY.

>> YEAH.

>> TO BE ABLE TO DO THAT.

ARE THERE MULTIPLE SITES ACROSS THE COUNTY WHERE-- DO PEOPLE ACTUALLY GO IN AND BE ABLE TO INJECT AT YOUR SITE OR DO THEY JUST GET THE SYRINGE AND GO WHEREVER THEY WANT?

>> THIS IS A GREAT QUESTION.

SO SUPERVISED INJECTION FACILITIES A PLACE WHERE SOMEONE WOULD GO AND INJECT ON SITE IS NOT LEGAL AT THIS TIME IN NEW YORK ARE THE UNITED STATES.

THERE ARE MANY COUNTRIES ACROSS THE WORLD THAT HAVE OVERDOSE PREVENTION CENTERS AND THAT'S A LEGAL APPROACH TO DRUG CONSUMPTION BUT THAT'S NOT THE CASE HERE AT THIS TIME.

SO SOMEONE WOULD COME IN AND OBTAIN SUPPLIES FROM US AND THEN THEY MAY ALSO GET WRAP AROUND SERVICES, REFERRALS, NARCAN TRAINING, FENTANYL TEST KITS, CASE MANAGEMENT, HOUSING ASSISTANCE.

VARIOUS THINGS LIKE THAT.

BUT THEY'RE GOING TO LEAVE WITH THOSE SUPPLIES AND HOPEFULLY TAKE THEM TO A SAFE SECURE PLACE IN ORDER TO DO THAT INJECTION.

>> SO YOU MENTIONED JUST BRIEFLY, I THINK, EARLIER, THE HARM REDUCTION MODEL.

CAN YOU TELL US-- AND MAYBE ALL OF YOU CAN TELL US ABOUT THE HEALTH DEPARTMENT REDUCTION MODEL-- THE HARM REDUCTION MODEL WHICH IS DIFFERENT THAN THE OLD MODEL OF COMPLETE ABSTINENCE FROM DRUGS OR ALCOHOL.

CAN YOU ADDRESS THAT?

WHAT IS THE HARM REDUCTION MODEL?

>> I'M SURE THAT WE CAN ALL SPEAK TO THAT.

>> LET'S ALL SPEAK TO THAT.

>> I WOULD LIKE TO MAKE SURE THAT PEOPLE UNDERSTAND HARM REDUCTION IS JUST AN ASSESSMENT AND UNDERSTANDING THAT HUMAN BEINGS WILL ENGAGE IN BEHAVIORS THAT HAVE RISK, ALWAYS.

AND THAT CAN BE APPLIED TO MANY ARENAS IN LIFE.

I LOVE THE CAR EXAMPLE BECAUSE THE MOST DANGEROUS THING WE DO EVERY DAY IS GET IN A CAR.

AND HARM REDUCTION APPLIES TO CARS BECAUSE WE USE SAFETY BELTS AND AIR BAGS AND SPEED LIMITS AND STOP SIGNS AND ALL OF THOSE ARE MECHANISMS TO REDUCE THE HARM AND RISK OF BEING IN A MOVING VEHICLE SO HARM REDUCTION CAN BE APPLIED TO ANY ARENA OF LIFE.

BUT IT CAN BE HIGHLY EFFECTIVE WHEN APPLIED TO SUBSTANCE USE OR SEXUAL RISK BECAUSE THE RISK EXISTS ON SUCH A LARGE SPECTRUM AND CAN HAVE SEVERE NEGATIVE OUTCOMES LIKE DEATH AND SO APPLYING A HARM REDUCTION LENS TO SUBSTANCE USE DOES NOT REQUIRE YOU TO ABSTAIN FROM SUBSTANCES AS MUCH AS TALKING THROUGH WITH SOMEONE WHAT THEIR PERSONAL GOALS ARE FOR RISK REDUCTION AND PROVIDING EDUCATION SO THEY HAVE FACTUAL INFORMATION ABOUT WHAT THE RISKS REALLY ARE AND CAN MAKE INFORMED DECISIONS AND CHOICES.

>> IT'S IMPORTANT THAT PEOPLE UNDERSTAND THE DIFFERENCE BETWEEN DRUG FREE TREATMENT AND HARM REDUCTION.

THE MORTALITY ON AVERAGE, IF YOU GET NO TREATMENT IS 4% A YEAR.

IF YOU GO TO BUPRENORPHINE OR METHADONE MAINTENANCE, IT'S 1% A YEAR, AND IF YOU COME TO UPSTATE ADDICTION MEDICINE, WE USE A NOVEL APPROACH, WHICH IS WE TALK TO PEOPLE, WE UNDERSTAND THE DRUGS ARE USED TO GET RID OF FEELINGS.

SO IF YOU ARE GOING TO GET OFF OPIOIDS, YOU ARE GOING TO HAVE A BURCH OF FEELINGS THAT YOU ARE GOING TO NEED PSYCHO THERAPY FOR.

YOU ARE GOING TO NEED PSYCHIATRIC DISORDERS THAT RUN WITH ADDICTION ADDRESSED.

BORDER LINE PERSONALITY, DEPRESSION, A.D.H.D., YOU ARE GOING TO NEED THOSE OTHER ADDICTIONS THAT GO ALONG WITH OPIOID USE DISORDER, ESPECIALLY TOBACCO ADDICTION ADDRESSED.

AND BECAUSE OPIOIDS ARE A HORMONE, WHEN YOU USE EITHER OXYCODONE, A MEDICATION OR STREET OPIOIDS, IT DESTROYS THE OPIOID RECEPTOR SYSTEM.

SO WE MEASURE THAT WITH SOMETHING CALLED A COLD PRESSER TEST WHICH MEASURES PAIN TOLERANCE, AND BUILD A SYSTEM BACK WITH SOMETHING CALLED LOW DOSE NALOXONE, THE MORTALITY IS 1%.

THE GOALS ARE DIFFERENT.

HARM REDUCTION YOU CAN'T ADDRESS UNDERLYING ISSUES THAT REQUIRE SCIEK OWE THERAPY BECAUSE YOU ARE ON AN OPIOID AND IT REDUCES YOUR ABILITY TO FEEL GOOD WHEN YOU ARE IN CONTACT WITH OTHER POOM ON ARE MAKE A CLOSE RELATIONSHIP WITH YOUR THERAPIST.

SO IF YOU ARE GOING TO ADDRESS WHAT IS WRONG YOU REALLY HAVE TO DETOX.

WE MAKE A NON-EVENT.

IT'S EASY BUT HAVE YOU TO STAY SOBER BECAUSE IF YOU USE AT THAT POINT, YOU ARE GOING TO NEED AN OVERDOSE KIT OR YOU ARE GOING TO DIE BOTH APPROACHES ARE GOOD TREATMENT AND EVERYONE NEEDS TO THINK ABOUT WHAT IS IMPORTANT TO THEM AND DECIDE WHAT KIND OF APPROACH IS THE RIGHT ONE FOR THEM.

>> THIS MODEL YOU ARE TALKING ABOUT AT UPSTATE ADDICTION AND WOULD YOU TALK WITH THE PERSON ABOUT WHAT THEY WANT TO DO, WHAT THEY WANT TO TRY AND THEN YOU WOULD REFER THEM-- AM I GETTING-- >> SO WE HAVE A FAMILY SUPPORT NETWORK.

AND THE NAVIGATORS THERE MEET WITH PEOPLE IN CRISIS AND CONNECT THEM AND THEIR FAMILIES TO THE CORRECT SERVICES AND THEN WHILE WE ARE WAITING FOR THOSE SERVICES TO GET CONNECTED, YOU KNOW, BECAUSE THERE ARE WAIT TIMES, WE OFFER MINIMAL BRIDGE COUNSELING TO GET THEM INTO THOSE SERVICES AND THAT'S A FREE SERVICE WE OFFER AT PREVENTION NETWORK.

>> SO YOU SAY FAMILIES SUPPORT.

HOW IMPORTANT IS FAMILY SUPPORT IN THE TRANSITION FROM REALLY A BAD PLACE WITH YOUR ADDICTION TO GETTING TO A BETTER PLACE, WHETHER THAT'S COMPLETE SOBRIETY OR WHETHER IT'S HARM REDUCTION OR?

>> I WOULD SAY IT'S ABSOLUTELY CRITICAL.

AND JUST TO BRING IT BACK TO THE HARM REDUCTION, YOU CAN'T USE NARCAN ON YOURSELF.

I MEAN YOU COULD, IT WOULDN'T BE VERY EFFECTIVE BECAUSE YOU WOULDN'T BE IN AN OVERDOSE.

BUT HAVING SUPPORT SYSTEMS AND HAVING PEOPLE THAT ARE TRAINED AND THAT CAN SUPPORT YOU WHILE YOU ARE FIGURING OUT WHAT THE BEST RECOVERY ROUTE IS FOR YOU, IS REALLY CRITICAL.

>> AND TO EXPAND ON WHAT BETHANY JUST SAID, FAMILY TREATMENT IS SO IMPORTANT THAT WE REQUIRE A SOBER SUPPORT PERSON TO COME TO THE FIRST VISIT AND IT'S MOST COMMONLY A FAMILY MEMBER BECAUSE ADDICTION AFFECTS THE ENTIRE FAMILY TREMENDOUSLY AND IF YOU DON'T ASK THE PERSON TO ASK FOR HELP AND BRING SOMEONE WHO CAN HELP THEM RIGHT AWAY, THE OUTCOMES ARE MUCH WORSE.

>> BRINGING A FAMILY MEMBER REALLY HELPS THINGS.

>> IT REALLY HELPS.

>> AND IF IT'S NOT A FAMILY MEMBER, IT CAN BE A FRIEND.

IT CAN BE A NEIGHBOR.

YOU CAN GO TO A 12-STEP RECOVERY MEETING AND SAY I NEED TO GO FOR AN EVALUATION WITH SOMEONE AT THIS MEETING PLEASE COME WITH ME EXPL YOU MIGHT FIND A SOBER SUPPORT PERSON AT YOUR A.A. MEETING.

>> OR FAVORITE SUPPORT PERSON IS AN A.A.

SPONSOR.

>> SPEAKING OF FAMILY SUPPORT, MANY OF US KNOW A FRIEND OR A LOVED ONE WHO HAS STRUGGLED WITH ADDICTION.

IT IS A TOUGH, AND POTENTIALLY LETHAL BATTLE, BUT THERE IS HOPE FOR RECOVERY.

AS WE ARE TALKING ABOUT NOW, WE HAVE HEARD ABOUT THOSE LOSING THEIR LIVES DUE TO OPIOID ADDICTION, BUT LET'S FLIP THE SCRIPT AND HEAR FROM SOMEONE WHO NOT ONLY OVERCAME HER ADDICTION BUT WENT ON TO SAVE SOMEONE ELSE'S LIFE AND DEDICATE HERSELF TO SAVING MORE THROUGH PREVENTION.

LET'S TAKE A LOOK.

>> MY NAME IS EMILY.

I AM A SISTER, A DAUGHTER, AND AN ADVOCATE FOR THE COMMUNITY.

I GREW UP IN FAYETTEVILLE, NEW YORK.

I ATTENDED F.M.

ALL THE WAY THROUGH HIGH SCHOOL.

I PLAYED SOCCER.

I DID TRACK IN THE WINTER.

AND I PLAYED LACROSSE IN THE SPRING.

I THEN WENT TO BREK PORT WHERE I PLAYED LACROSSE AND MY FRESHMAN YEAR I TORE MY A.C.L.

IT WAS A REALLY HARD TIME BECAUSE LACROSSE KEPT MY SCHEDULE STRUCTURED.

AFTER THAT I FELT LIKE MY ROUTINE BROKE IN A WAY.

AND I KIND OF FELT LIKE I HAD A LOT OF FREE TIME THAT I HAD TO MANAGE AND THAT AT THE TIME WAS DIFFICULT FOR ME TO DO.

BEING A YOUNG GIRL IN COLLEGE AND HAVING TO FIGURE OUT WHAT I WANTED TO DO WITH MY LIFE.

SO AT TIMES IT WAS JUST EASIER TO PUT ALL THOSE THOUGHTS AWAY AND JUST GO OUT FOR THE NIGHT.

SO THE FIRST TIME I TOOK OPIOIDS WAS WHEN I TORE MY A.C.L., I BELIEVE IT WAS HYDROCODONE THEY GAVE ME.

I JUST REMEMBER THE FEELING OF WANTING TO GO SHOPPING AND I HAD ENDLESS AMOUNTS OF ENERGY THAT I COULD JUST DO ALL OF THESE DIFFERENT THINGS.

AND THAT'S THE FEELING THAT IT GAVE ME INITIALLY.

IT WAS JUST VERY HYPER, HAPPY, HAPPY FEELING.

SO I REMEMBER I WENT TO FLORIDA ON A TRIP AND I REMEMBER I SNUCK SOME OF MY PRESCRIPTION MEDICATION WITH ME.

AND PROBABLY NON-PRESCRIPTION MEDICATION WITH ME DURING THE TRIP.

I RAB OUT OF THE MEDICATIONS AND THAT'S THE FIRST TIME I FELT A SIDE EFFECT FROM OPIOIDS.

I HAD A HORRIBLE HEADACHE.

I JUST FELT-- I DIDN'T KNOW WHAT I FELT.

BUT I DID NOT FEEL LIKE MYSELF.

I DIDN'T WANT TO GET UP.

I SUDDENLY WAS THE COMPLETE OPPOSITE OF HYPER.

I WAS COMPLETELY JUST ALMOST DEPRESSED IN A WAY.

I HAD NO IDEA HOW MUCH MY ACTIONS AFFECTED THE PEOPLE AROUND ME.

NOR DID I HAVE ONE CARE IN THE WORLD ABOUT THAT AT THE TIME.

>> MY NAME IS JESSICA, EMILY ICE SISTER.

WHEN EMILY STARTED USING, I WAS VERY NERVOUS AND I DIDN'T KNOW WHAT TO DO AT THE TIME, BEING THERE WERE SOME DAYS I WAS HOME ALONE.

I DIDN'T KNOW WHAT TO DO.

IF I SHOULD CALL THE COPS OR IF I SHOULD JUST LET GIT AND WAIT UNTIL MI MOM GETS HOME AND I WAS VERY NERVOUS BECAUSE I DIDN'T KNOW THE SITUATION.

>> SO I REMEMBER JUST FEELING LIKE I HAD, AT THE TIME, HIT ROCK BOTTOM.

AND I FELT LIKE I NEEDED TO GET HELP, YOU KNOW, AND SO IT STARTED WITH MY MOM.

HER AND I WENT TO A RESTAURANT, A LOCAL RESTAURANT.

SO I TOLD HER, MOM, YOU KNOW, THIS IS WHAT I HAVE BEEN DOING AND I NEED HELP NOW.

I WILL NEVER FORGET MY MOM LOOKED ATHE ME AND SAID OKAY, WE ARE GOING TO GET YOU HELP.

I WILL NEVER FORGET THAT FEELING OF SURRENDERING ALMOST AT THE TIME AND FEELING LIKE, OKAY, I HAVE SOMEONE I CAN GO TO.

I HAVE SOMEBODY THAT I CAN TRUST WITH THIS THAT WILL HELP ME.

THEY MAY BE MAD, THEY MAY BE SEVERELY UPSET, YOU KNOW, WITH MY CHOICES.

BUT THEY'RE NOT-- THEY'RE PUTTING THAT ASIDE AND THEY'RE ACTUALLY LOOKING OUT FOR ME.

>> I'M VERY PROUD OF MY SISTER AND WE HAVE COME A LOT CLOSER AFTER HER BEING SOBER FOR SO MANY YEARS.

SHE HAS JUST BACK TO BEING HER GREAT SELF AND NOT BEING THE OZONE HE WAS IN.

IT'S VERY-- I'M SO GLAD TO HAVE MY BEST FRIEND BACK.

>> YOU KNOW, I WENT THROUGH A LOT OF MY YEARS STRUGGLING MENTALLY AND I AM JUST SO GRATEFUL THAT I WAS ABLE TO GET THE HELP THAT I NEED.

AND I WAS ABLE TO GET OUT OF THAT DARK HOLE.

>> I JUST LOVE HER SO MUCH.

JUST REALLY HAPPY SHE IS HERE TODAY.

>> AND RIGHT DOWN TO A STORY ABOUT AN ADDICTION AND A STORY ABOUT HOPE.

HOW A RECOVERING DRUG USER'S QUICK THINKING GAVE SOMEONE A SECOND CHANCE.

>> I REMEMBER SITTING AT A CORPORATE JOB THAT I HAD THE FIRST TIME I HAD SEVERAL YEARS SOBER IN MY MID 20s.

AND I REMEMBER THINKING TO MYSELF, MANIFESTING, IF YOU WILL, A LIFE WHERE I WAS HELPING OTHERS.

AND THAT IS ALL I WANTED.

THAT'S ALL I COULD SEE MYSELF DOING.

I WAS AT THE MALL AND I WALKED IN AND I ENDED UP SAVING A MAN'S LIFE WITH NARCAN, WHO HAD FALLEN OUT OF HIS SEAT AN I JUST KNEW THE SIGNS.

I RAN OVER TO HIM.

IT WAS ALMOST AN OUT OF BODY EXPERIENCE.

BUT AFTER THAT MOMENT, I SAID TO MYSELF, I AM NOT SETTLING.

I WANT TO DO THIS AS A CAREER.

SO THAT LED ME TO MY CAREER AT PREVENTION NETWORK AS A COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT SPECIALIST I FEEL LIKE WHEN I IMPACT SOMEBODY'S LIFE, IT'S IMPACTING MY LIFE JUST AS MUCH BECAUSE IT'S OPENING UP MY HEART TO DIFFERENT SITUATIONS THAT I MAY NOT HAVE, YOU KNOW, BEEN AWARE OF OR IT REMIND ME OF, YOU KNOW, WHY WE ARE HERE AND WHY IT'S SO IMPORTANT TO HELP SOMEBODY THE WAY THAT PEOPLE HELPED ME.

>> SO, BETHANY, EMILY WAS TALKING ABOUT THE SIGNS OF APRIL AN OVERDOSE.

WHAT ARE THE SIGNS OF AN OVERDOSE.

>> SMALL CONSTRICTED PINPOINT PUPILS, LOSS OF CONSCIOUSNESS, FALLING ASLEEP, NOT BEING ABLE TO STAY UP, PALE, BLUE OR COLD SKIN AND REALLY JUST NOT BEING ABLE TO ANSWER COHERENTLY IF AT ALL.

THEY MAY NOT BE BREATHING AS WELL.

THAT'S ANOTHER SIGN OF AN OVERDOSE.

IF YOU FIND SOMEBODY LIKE THAT, WE ASK THAT YOU FIRST ASK THEM SAY, IF THEY'RE OKAY, WHAT DID THEY TAKE?

WHAT YEAR IS IT?

TRY TO GET A COHERENT ANSWER OUT OF THEM.

CHANCES ARE THEY WON'T BE ABLE TO DO THAT.

IF YOU FIND SOMEBODY LIKE THAT, DO A STERNUM RUB, PAINFUL STIMULATION.

TAKE YOUR KNUCKLES AND PRODUCE ES THEM ON THE STERN UP AND RUB THEM UP AND DOWN, YOU DO THAT STERN UP RUB AND HOPEFULLY GET THEM TO WAKE UP.

IF NOT, YOU ADMINISTER THE NARCAN N. THE NARCAN KITS, THIS IS WHAT THEY LOOK LIKE.

WE PROVIDE TWO IN THE KITS AND THEY'RE PREPEELED SO YOU CAN JUST PEEL THAT OFF AND THIS IS WHAT IT LOOKS LIKE WHEN IT COMES OUT.

THERE IS NO CAP OR ANYTHING TO DO.

IT'S READY TO GO AS SOON AS YOU TAKE IT OUT.

YOU ARE GOING TO PLACE IT IN THE NOSTRIL AND SQUEEZE THE PLUNGER.

YOU ARE GOING TO WAIT TWO TO THREE MINUTES.

AND USE YOUR BEST JUDGMENT WITH THAT.

IF THEY'RE NEEDING A SECOND DOSE AND THEY'RE NOT COMING TO, DO THE SAME THING, OPEN THE KIT AND PUT THE OTHER DOSE IN THE OTHER NOSTRIL IN CASE THERE IS A BLOCKAGE AND SQUEEZE.

>> THAT'S ALL THERE IS TO IT.

>> THAT'S ALL THERE IS TO IT.

>> AND YOU OR SOMEONE ELSE HAS TO CALL 911.

>> ABSOLUTELY.

>> I WOULD MAKE NOTE THAT ALTHOUGH THE KITS ARE AVAILABLE WITH TWO AND WE DISPENSE THEM THAT WAY AS DOES UP, THE REALITY AT THIS POINT IN HISTORY IS THAT SOMETIMES IT MAY REQUIRE FOUR.

IN ADDITION TO CALLING 911, MAKE SURE YOU HAVE ENOUGH KITS ON HAND IS AN ESSENTIAL FACTOR.

>> GREAT.

WELL THAT'S ALL THE TIME WE HAVE.

I WANT TO THANK OUR GUESTS MS. MICHELLE MCELROY: CHIEF PROGRAM OFFICER AT ACR HEALTH DR. BRIAN JOHNSON: PROFESSOR EMERITUS AT SUNY UPSTATE AND RECENTLY RETIRED DIRECTOR OF ADDICTION MEDICINE AT UPSTATE UNIVERSITY HOSPITAL, AND MS. BETHANI RAHRLE-WHITE: PREVENTION EDUCATOR AT PREVENTION NETWORK OF CENTRAL NEW YORK FOR MORE INFORMATION AND RESOURCES ON OPIOID ADDICTION AND OVERDOSE PREVENTION, PLEASE VISIT THE WEBSITES ON YOUR SCREEN.

IF YOU'D LIKE TO SEE MORE OF OUR PROGRAM, OR WATCH OUR WEB SERIES CHECKUP FROM OUR NECK UP, VISIT OUR WEBSITE, WCNY.ORG/CYCLEOFHEALTH.

TO HEAR OUR NEW COMPANION COMMUNITY FM RADIO SHOW, CHECK UP FROM THE NECK UP, VISIT WCNY.ORG/COMMUNITYFM.

FOR CYCLE OF HEALTH, I'M PSYCHOLOGIST DR. RICH O'NEILL.

THANKS FOR CHECKING IN.

NEXT WEEK ON "CYCLE OF HEALTH,".

>> TONIGHT WE ARE HAVING A ROUNDTABLE DISCUSSION ABOUT LEADERSHIP IN THE MEDICAL FIELD.

WE'LL EXPLORE WHAT IT'S LIKE TO BE RESPONSIBLE FOR VITAL MEDICAL CARE, ESPECIALLY WITH THE STRAIN ON THE HEALTHCARE SYSTEMS IN RECENT YEARS DUE TO THE COVID-19 PANDEMIC.

>> THE PANDEMIC HIT.

IT JUST BLIND SIDED US AND IT WAS JUST TIME TO STEP UP AND MAKE IT HAPPEN.