LECOM holds opioid stigma discussion

ELMIRA, N.Y. ( WETM ) – LECOM-Elmira, CNYAHEC and University of Rochester Recovery Center for Excellence held a discussion at the Elmira Equal Opportunity Program building on August 15 to take a closer look at the stigma of drug addiction.

“We know that lecturing doesn’t work. We know that conversation does work,” said Tedra Cobb.

The discussion and ones like it are designed to be safe spaces for those who have struggled or continue to struggle with addiction.

“This workshop is a conversation. We believe that ending stigma starts with a conversation. There are different paths in addiction and there are different paths in recovery and so in this workshop, it’s not a lecture on stigma or a lecture on substance use disorder; but rather a conversation to understand the struggles that people have in their life,” said Cobb.

Participants were able to talk to each other and watch videos of others who have gone through similar struggles. Consultant Tedra Cobb says opioid addiction continues to hit rural communities hard for a multitude of reasons.

“Everywhere, right, opioids have made a mark and have harmed our communities. Unfortunately in rural America, we have the double whammy of maybe no public transportation; people are afraid of talking to their friends and neighbors,” said Cobb.

LECOM is trying to better understand why there continues to be a spike in overdose deaths in the Southern Tier. They say stigma is partially to blame.

“Rehab admissions are down. Hospitalizations are down. Emergency department visits are down. So, people are just dying. People are afraid to talk, they want to pass the buck; they say this is not our problem and again, these deaths are exponential. It’s a crisis,” said LECOM Professor Dr. Zachary Dunbar.

For more information on the New York State Office for Addiction Services and Supports, click here .

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