The Drug Czar of Idaho and a grass roots Mom share how they crusade to curtail epidemic of RX Drug Abuse in Idaho
May 14, 2013
Hosted by Bradley DeHaven
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Guest Information
Episode Description
Elisha Figueroa shares some shocking facts in the state of Idaho and our country are: 20% of Idaho high school students have taken a prescription drug without a doctor’s prescription. Idaho treatment centers have seen a 7x increase in the percent of opiate primary substance abuse admissions. Every hour one baby in the US is born suffering from opiate withdrawal. In 2011, the CDC reported prescription drug deaths in the US surpassed traffic accidents as the leading cause of accidental death. In 2011, 6.1 million Americans reported the non-medical use of prescription drugs within the preceding month. People in rural counties are nearly twice as likely to overdose on prescription painkillers as people in big cities. 70% of people 12-18 who abuse prescription drugs get them from friends and family. The Idaho ODP produced “Prescription for Addiction” with Idaho Governor C.L. “Butch” Otter regarding the dangers of prescription drug abuse. ODP facilitates a prescription drug workgroup with members from the state’s licensing boards, legislators, law enforcement, prosecutors, prevention providers, physicians, pharmacists, medical and dental associations, and parents who have lost children. The ODP has been awarded funding for a statewide educational media campaign after July 1, 2013. ODP and its workgroup is working to increase the number of prescribers registered for and using the state’s Prescription Monitoring Program. ODP and its workgroup are working to increase prescriber education efforts. Related to this, the largest malpractice insurance carrier in Idaho has agreed to give prescribers a discounted insurance rate for completing an opioid prescribing continuing education course. ODP and its workgroup are working to identify and fill in gaps in our current data regarding prescription drug abuse. ODP and its workgroup are working with law enforcement and prosecutors to identify any issues with the current state laws that make it difficult to enforce or prosecute drug laws as they relate to prescription drugs. Elisha is joined by Melanie Curtis, an Idaho grass roots activist who has always worked from the heart and continues to even after losing her son Michael. Melanie Curtis was deeply involved helping others when she lost her younger son Michael to a prescription drug overdose. Melanie marches on and has delved deeper into helping others in the State of Idaho so that no parent, loved one or child loses someone to this epidemic.
Afflicted By Addiction
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Our guests include parent activists and treatment professionals from all across the US and politicians who are active with RX reform. These people have almost all lost a child to addiction and have huge lists of followers who share the same fate. I am a father who has been on the front lines of addiction as opposed to a doctor with a degree in addiction and a 2 year old. Parents in the throes of addiction need to know they are not alone and parents of younger children need to understand that addiction can happen to anyone. Not one of the parents who lost a child to addiction every thought their child would become an addict. Not one addict ever thought they would become addicted. The road to addiction is clear when you look back and I will share the wisdom of those who have traveled this road to help other avoid the Hell of addiction.
Bradley DeHaven
A passion to help others with understanding addiction has brewed inside Bradley DeHaven for years. Having been surrounding by addiction his entire life from father, step-father, brother and then his own son caused Brad to dig deep inside to discover what defined himself as a man, a husband and a father. Brad wrote his first book "Defining Moments" from an odd perspective while he relived the thoughts that rushed through his head as he was undercover, wired and setting up a dangerous drug dealer in a parking lot less than a mile from his home. The deal was made to get Brad’s addicted son out of a prison stint and into rehab where Brad believed his son belonged.
Brad’s second book; "The Addict Among Us" is an 18 month journey. Brad interviewed over 400 parents and addicts and discovered many teachable moments. He believes these dramatic interviews will open the eyes of the "not my child" club and educate them so they do not join the club of so many of us who never saw addiction coming. Brad was honored that Congresswoman Mary Bono Mack who is a true champion of this cause, read this manuscript and graciously offered to write the "Forward" to The Addict Among Us.
Brad’s other specialties are as Author, Public Speaker, and raising awareness and education regarding prescription drug abuse. He also is no stranger to radio, having once hosted a financial radio program.
