Unfortunately, overdose deaths have been on the rise in Nevada. According to data from the Nevada State Unintentional Drug Overdose Reporting System (SUDORS), the number of overdose deaths increased from 510 in 2019 to 788 in 2020, highlighting a growing crisis across the state. As the number of overdoses continues to increase in Nevada, it becomes even more urgent to take action. There are three crucial steps when it comes to stopping the cycle of addiction. While addiction is so challenging, there are steps we can take as a community to make a real difference to reduce the negative impacts of Northern Nevada by using these three key tips.

Imagine how difficult it is to be surrounded by addiction and unsure how to help or prevent it. That’s why awareness and prevention is key. By educating our communities about the realities of addiction, we can help reduce overdose and open up important conversations. The more people understand what addiction is and how it starts, the better chance we have at reducing the number of overdoses and long term struggles.

Another way to help prevent overdose deaths is by using Narcan, it’s easy to carry, easy to use, and can save a life in seconds. A 2018 CDC study found that in over 40% of opioid overdose deaths, a bystander was nearby and nearly 19,000 lives could have been saved had they administered Narcan. When overdoses happen, quick action can be the most important difference in someone’s life. Narcan is a life saving medication that reverses opioid overdoses, and it’s something everyone should know about. Teaching people how to use Narcan and showing them where they can get it, whether that’s at clinics, community centers, or local events, can save lives. The more accessible and normalized it becomes, the more we can protect those in crisis and give them another chance at recovery.

The last step in ending the cycle of addiction is preventing it within families. At The Life Change Center, we believe in stopping addiction at its roots, within families and communities. Addiction doesn’t just impact one person, it can transfer through generations. That’s why we focus on educating children and families with the tools, skills, and emotional resilience they need to break free from the cycle. The Life Change Center offers a variety of family programs designed to support different needs. Through support programs, education, and community building efforts, we’re helping create a future where the next generation has the strength and resources to choose a different path.

By using these three key steps to break the cycle of addiction, we can lower the deaths in the Northern Nevada area. By learning about intervention, education, and family support, we can stop addiction on every level. Narcan provides a critical and immediate response that could save lives in the moment. Education and awareness shift the community’s understanding and can reduce the number of overdoses over time. Lastly, we need to empower families with the resources they need to break the cycle. For example, in studies of community samples, children of substance abusing parents are more than twice as likely to have an alcohol and/or drug use disorder themselves by young adulthood as compared to their peers. Together, by focusing on education, immediate intervention, and family support, we can build a healthier, safer Northern Nevada free from the destructive cycle of addiction.