Opioid epidemic effects on children discussed at conference
HUNTINGTON, W.Va. (AP) — Leaders in the recovery community met in Huntington for a conference to discuss how substance use disorder is causing multigenerational trauma, specifically for West Virginia’s youth.
Healthy Connections, an initiative of Marshall Health’s addiction medicine services, was joined by West Virginia Adverse Childhood Experiences (ACEs) Coalition Parents, community members and professionals at the Marshall University Medical Center on Thursday to highlight evidence-based solutions to substance use and trauma.
Dubbed “The Kids Aren’t Alright: A Call to Action,” the event was presented to emphasize the mental and physical effects the opioid epidemic is having on the next generation.
Discussions pointed to research by Dr. Todd Davies, associate director of research and development in the Division of Addiction Sciences at the Joan C. Edwards School of Medicine, showing area children are experiencing trauma at a higher rate than previously believed, which leads to a higher chance of that person having medical issues in adulthood.
Dr. Lyn O’Connell, associate director for the Division of Addiction Sciences, said while the recovery community doesn’t like to frame things in a negative light, the event acted as a call to action.
“The kids aren’t all right, but we have the resources, we have the ability, we have the skills, we have the experts, we have the families, we have the people in recovery and we can do a lot,” she said. “But we all need to do it together, and we need to do it as we’re moving forward.”
A person with at least four adverse or traumatic experiences is twice as likely to suffer from health complications and stress, which could manifest through things such as drug usage, heart disease, suicide and post-traumatic stress disorder.
The ACE...