The Sandgaard Foundation

Seniors desperately need alternatives to #opioids for pain management. Congress is taking steps to combat opioid addiction among seniors with the bipartisan Alternatives to Prevent Addiction in the Nation (Alternatives to PAIN) Act. This legislation aims to make non-opioid pain treatments more affordable under Medicare Part D, reducing the reliance on opioids, which have a high risk of addiction and overdose. The bill would cap out-of-pocket costs for non-opioid treatments, eliminate certain insurance barriers, and encourage dialogue between patients and healthcare providers about pain management options. This initiative addresses the increasing rates of opioid use disorder among seniors and aims to provide safer, effective alternatives for pain management. Learn more by clicking the link below. https://lnkd.in/gsd5dRxK

In a decade of opioid-related drug overdoses, more than 320,000 American children lost a parent. A new study reveals that over 321,000 U.S. children lost a parent to drug overdoses between 2011 and 2021, highlighting the devastating impact of the #opioid crisis on families. The study, conducted by NIH, SAMHSA, and CDC, emphasizes the need for comprehensive support for these children, including mental health services and stability resources. This underscores the urgent need for equitable access to prevention, treatment, and recovery services. #OpioidCrisis #EndOverdose #HarmReduction #Recovery #SaveALife Click the link below to learn more: https://lnkd.in/gxvf5tUJ

Former NFL Dallas Cowboys superstar Emmitt Smith is featured in a new ad campaign to combat #opioid overdoses using Narcan. The campaign, featuring the "lay, spray, stay" method, aims to educate the public on emergency preparedness and opioid overdose response. Smith, who has lost friends to opioid poisoning, shares a personal message in a one-minute video. The initiative seeks to increase awareness and readiness, driving Narcan sales, which have already seen significant growth. #OpioidCrisis #CarryNarcan #SaveALife #HarmReduction #Recovery Learn more by clicking the following link: https://lnkd.in/dZUtQ8ws

The #opioid epidemic is creating a growing need for foster parents. Nicole Warner from Child & Family Services highlights the urgent need for loving homes, as overdose rates have led to a 5% increase in foster care demand. Foster parents like Kyma Dickinson and Sheira Cordero are stepping up, providing incredible support and stability for children in need. Let's spread the word and encourage more families to open their hearts and homes. Learn more by clicking the following link: https://lnkd.in/g6EJVJ7s

Columbus nonprofit 'This Must Be The Place' battles #opioid overdoses one festival at a time. Ingela Travers-Hayward and William Perry, co-founders of the nonprofit This Must Be The Place, have been spending all summer touring festivals and events around the U.S., teaching folks how to bring people back from the dead. Make no mistake, they’re not necromancers — just two people eager to raise awareness and educate the public about naloxone, a rapid-working medicine that can restore regular breathing in the case of an opioid overdose and reverse its effects. Since their founding in 2022, the two have been able to distribute more than 57,000 kits of naloxone. For Perry, who grew up in the midst of the opioid epidemic on the North Side of Columbus, the organization's mission hits close to home. #OpioidCrisis #EndOverdose #EndStigma #HarmReduction #SaveALife Learn more by clicking the link below to read the entire article. https://lnkd.in/ggmjEjfd

Chesterfield woman shows others how to reverse opioid overdoses in memory of brother. Jennifer Jurlando from Chesterfield is on a mission to prevent opioid overdose deaths in memory of her brother. Through the Chesterfield Health District's "REVIVE!" Program, she educates others on using Narcan, a life-saving medication that can reverse opioid overdoses. Her dedication is a powerful tribute to her brother and a vital resource for the community. Learn how you can help save lives by clicking the following link: https://lnkd.in/gtts6_MC

How one mom is fighting the opioid crisis by asking hospitals to provide pain coaches. After surgery, Christopher Wolf went home with a big bottle of Oxycontin. He overdosed on heroin 14 years later. His mom, Cammie Wolf Rice, now works to train pain coaches for patients. Cammie Wolf Rice is an addiction prevention activist and former financial services tech executive. She's the author of The Flight: My Opioid Journey. She also founded the Christopher Wolf Crusade, a nonprofit organization to educate people about opioids and effective pain management strategies. Listen to the TED Radio Hour episode on Pain Relief by clicking below. https://lnkd.in/e-yMeFd9

The Critical Need for Naloxone on School Campuses. The opioid crisis is escalating across the United States, increasingly affecting all segments of the population, including students on K-12 and college campuses. As the threat from opioids, especially fentanyl, becomes more widespread, it's critical for schools to have naloxone available—an antidote that immediately reverses opioid overdoses. This article discusses why naloxone should be as common as Automated External Defibrillators (AEDs) in educational settings. Click the link below to learn more. https://lnkd.in/gWy-cbpH

Shatterproof Feature: "What I've Learned Since Losing My Son to Overdose" Addiction is an isolating disease, touching almost everyone in some way. Since losing her son Ian, Kelly Minnick has learned how many people keep their loved ones' struggles private due to emotional, physical, and mental strain. Ian always encouraged learning about addiction, and Kelly has sought support groups for families and those who have lost loved ones to overdoses. Stigma around addiction is still prevalent; many feel they can't grieve openly like those who lose loved ones to other diseases. Just as cancer stigma changed, so must the stigma surrounding addiction. Addiction is a chronic, relapsing brain disorder and mental illness. Words matter: use "person with substance use disorder" instead of "addict," and "person in recovery" instead of "former addict." This shift can help reduce isolation and save lives. Recently, Kelly became an ambassador for Shatterproof, a group supporting those affected by addiction. It’s a step toward breaking down barriers and changing the conversation around substance use disorders. Together, we can make a difference. 💔 #EndStigma #HarmReduction #Recovery #SaveALife Read the entire Shatterproof article by clicking the below link to learn more. https://lnkd.in/gPEpSvDs

'What more can we do for our patients?': Plum EMS launches novel approach to the #opioid crisis. The ultimate goal is to help people find treatment. Plum EMS and Allegheny Health Network have launched a pilot program in Plum, PA, providing buprenorphine to opioid overdose patients. This initiative aims to improve outcomes by offering immediate treatment and facilitating access to ongoing care. The program is part of a broader effort to combat the opioid crisis by making life-saving medication more readily available through emergency medical services. Learn more by clicking the link below to read the entire article. https://lnkd.in/g5dCBN9u