A new report shows some startling statistics when it comes to drug addiction here in the Pelican State. It turns out, more people are dying from accidental drug overdoses than homicides.
“I can tell you color, creed, age, sex, denomination, status in society, educational level. It does not matter. This disease affects everyone,” said Dr. Susan Julius, the medical director of the Townsend Treatment Centers in Baton Rouge and Lake Charles.
Dr. Julius knows this all too well. She works with those struggling with addiction every day, but that’s not the only reason.
“This disease does not discriminate. Today may be a very befitting day for me to be sitting here in this chair being interviewed. It’s an honor today is my 10th year of sobriety,” explained Dr. Julius. “I got in trouble. I had to get in trouble to get help. So, I went to rehab. I stay three months. It was a long haul. I kind of joke because it is a cross between college, jail, and a vacation because I couldn’t leave the place. I sat and learned all day long, and yet, it was a relief to get some freedom from being chained from having to do pills all day long.”
Now, Dr. Julius is bringing her experience with addiction to help those here at the Townsend Treatment Center in Baton Rouge. Right now, a big battle this center is trying to fight… opioid addiction.
“I would say at least 50%, maybe 60% of my patients are dependent on opioids. Believe it or not, the deaths from addiction has far surpassed the deaths from homicides and that the wave of the opioid epidemic, this is actually the third time we’re seeing it,” said Dr. Julius.
This particular addiction can be a deadly one, but that is why Dr. Julius says it’s important to bring awareness and break the stigma.
“The sad part is if we don’t capture that person in the initial assessment or the initial interview, 50% of the people that leave our office die from this illness. So that’s why it’s important that every single call that we get, every single lead, every single referral, we try to make it happen,” concluded Dr. Julius.
A community forum will be held at Xavier University in New Orleans at 6:30 P.M. Thursday.
If you want to learn more about Townsend Treatment Centers or if you or someone you know is struggling with addiction, click here for more information.