Finding hope and fighting stigma on Black Balloon Day 2020

Ryan Kroh’s shoes remain on his mother’s porch nearly ten years after his accidental overdose. Today Maitri remembers Ryan and all the others we love who lost their battles with substance abuse disorder.

Ryan Kroh’s shoes remain on his mother’s porch nearly ten years after his accidental overdose. Today Maitri remembers Ryan and all the others we love who lost their battles with substance abuse disorder.

By Terri Kroh, Director of Pharmacy, Maitri Medicinals

Today we remember those lost to the disease of addiction and overdose and the friends and families of those affected by the epidemic.

If you are struggling with a substance abuse disorder, there is hope. Please remember you matter to someone. If you have lost a loved one to a drug overdose, we know that they were more than their addiction, their lives mattered, and you love them.

Today individuals and organizations across the world display black balloons outside their homes and businesses and in the community to signify they have been affected by the disease of addiction or overdose deaths. For environmental purposes, Maitri will be releasing virtual balloons.

When my children were born, I made a lifetime commitment of love. It's been almost a decade since my son died of an opioid overdose and that commitment is unwavering. Ryan’s boots remain on the front porch not because I think he’s coming home but as a reminder of to live each day in gratitude and to do my part to increase opioid overdose awareness/prevention, to end the stigma of shame of having a substance abuse disorder and that associated with losing a child to one.

Substance abuse disorder is a not a moral failing. Substance abuse disorder is a disease.

Sadly, in the past three decades, drug overdoses have killed over 870,000 members of our families and circle of friends. No family is immune. According to a study by the Pew Research Center, 46% of families report having a family member or friend with a substance abuse disorder. It is a chronic relapsing condition often surrounded with stigma.

Drug overdose is the leading cause of accidental death in the US, with 72,000 lethal drug overdoses in 2019. Opioid addiction is driving this epidemic. More Americans die of opioid overdoses than car accidents or guns (homicide/suicide) according to the CDC.

Statistically we all know of someone who has been affected by the opioid epidemic. For this reason, we must come together to remember that what we say matters. We must work together to reduce stigma and increase pathways to prevention and recovery.

I remain incredibly grateful to Alice Bell of Prevention Point Pittsburgh, Stuart Fisk, Dana and Tiff of the Positive Health Clinic and Dr. Stacy Lane of Central Outreach and Wellness who help root the principles of harm reduction in our Pittsburgh communities. I believe in doing no harm. In my work as a Pharmacist at Maitri, I have seen firsthand evidence that medical marijuana is a medicine. I am privileged to share many conversations about medical marijuana as harm reduction for opioid withdrawal and keep people alive.

 To show your support, share your black balloon photos with us on social media @maitrimeds

Together we can raise awareness and remember those we love and have lost.

Additional Resources

For more information on how Black Balloon Day started, visit https://vimeo.com/157374389

Why Breaths Matter in an Opioid Overdose

This short video explains how important it is to keep giving breaths to prevent brain damage in a person who is experiencing an overdose.

https://vimeo.com/331469809

Words Matter – Stigma hurt those left behind

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DWaOsPiv-gw

Prevention Point Pittsburgh https://www.pppgh.org/ 

Overdose Signs and Symptoms

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wSuZZ9iIfXg

What to do if you think someone is overdosing?

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Duj0eM1v0SM

How to administer rescue breathing?

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lGFieA8QC9A

How to Administer Naloxone Nasal Spray

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=v26cDao4AcI&feature=youtu.be

How to Administer Naloxone (Luer Lock Nasal Spray)

ttps://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7VbWU3K7xyA

How to Administer Injectable Naloxone 

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=f4Hnzy10hYY

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