A website started by a Penn State University professor is seeking stories from those whose lives have been affected by an opioid addiction. The story can be about a person’s own substance abuse or from another person’s perspective, such as a family member or friend.
The website, ShareYourOpioidStory.com, is a result of a partnership between Penn State, the Pennsylvania Department of Drug and Alcohol Programs and Independence Blue Cross Foundation. It seeks to share stories as a way to spread hope to others battling an opioid use disorder and break down the stigma associated with addiction.
The project started in Philadelphia. Stories fall into three categories: recovery, support and in memoriam.
Your story matters! Help spread hope and combat stigma by sharing your experience with opioid use disorder → https://t.co/IWuZBAJ2QD pic.twitter.com/ZZkY9iqLbj
— PA Department of Drug & Alcohol Programs (@PADrugAlcohol) May 2, 2019
Stories can be submitted ShareYourOpioidStory.com.
Between 2007-16, 825 lives were claimed by drug overdoses in Westmoreland County. There has been a significant decrease in drug overdose deaths recently and officials think it may be the result of efforts to curb use and reverse overdoses, though the problem still exists.
In 2017, 193 people died from a drug overdose in Westmoreland County. In 2018, overdose killed 122 people in the county, according to coroner statistics.
