As the number of overdose deaths continues to rise, Overdose Lifeline is expanding its drug prevention program for young people

Indianapolis, Indiana – According to data from the National Institute for Health Care Management, the number of deaths caused by meth and cocaine mixed with synthetics has surpassed the number of deaths caused by prescription opioids.

Native Americans are leading the growth in the number of people dying from meth overdoses, while Black people are leading the growth in the number of people dying from cocaine overdoses. Overdose Support for people struggling with substance abuse disorders is offered by the non-profit organization LifeLine. More and more young people are going through traumatic experiences in their childhoods, which can make them more likely to experiment with drugs.

At the beginning of the year 2020, there was an increase in the number of people who overdosed. Because there were so many children at home after school, many of them saw it happen.

“Some of these kids have experience the loss of a caregiver. Some of these kids have been removed from their parents. All of this compounds on their experience of trauma,” Overdose Lifeline CEO, Justin Phillips, said.

Aaron’s Place: Exchange is a program that was established by Overdose Lifeline in 2020 for adolescents and young adults between the ages of 13 and 18 who have suffered adverse childhood trauma as a result of substance abuse disorder. This is a program that was modeled after Camp Mariposa, which originated in Ohio and has since expanded to include a location in Indianapolis.

“The sooner we can intervene and provide intervention services, the better,” Phillips said.

According to the findings of the NIHCM, deaths caused by an overdose of methamphetamine and cocaine increased across all ethnic groups, but the rates of increase were highest among African Americans and Native Americans.

“Understand that because you have a family member with substance abuse issues does not mean that’s the path you need to take,” Phillips said.

According to Phillips, the likelihood of a child experimenting with drugs increases when the child has experienced childhood trauma related to substance abuse. The presence of artificially produced stimulants in a variety of drugs makes the situation even more precarious.

“Currently, the drug supply is very dangerous. Almost everything people are purchasing has fentanyl, which is 100 times more potent and very deadly.

There will be additional participants after the current total of 45 young people who have completed the program.

Overdose LifeLine is looking for volunteers to help with transportation and is currently accepting referrals for the program.