EDMOND — EDITOR’S NOTE: This is the first in a five-part series on the consequences of addiction and substance abuse.

EDMOND — At this moment, an unknown number of Edmond residents — a family member, a friend, a co-worker, a classmate — are suffering from an addiction or a substance abuse problem.

You might have an addiction or substance abuse problem and not even realize it.

Addiction and substance abuse harm both rich and poor, youth and adults, men and women and different ethnic groups. They harm families, education systems, businesses, cities, states and society as a whole.

Substance abuse is tied to crime, violence, accidents, child abuse and neglect.

During the coming week, The Edmond Sun will take an in-depth look at the consequences of addiction and substance abuse. The series will explore the affects of alcohol, drug use and gambling, and examine scientific advances and treatment options.

The consequences of addiction and substance abuse is a timely topic.

President Barack Obama’s recent trip to Mexico highlighted the violence linked to Mexican drug cartels fighting for control of smuggling routes, and the high demand for drugs in the United States.

Most marijuana available in Oklahoma is produced in Mexico, according to the U.S. Justice Department. And homegrown marijuana is more potent. It’s also very addictive, said Mark Woodward, Oklahoma Bureau of Narcotics spokesman.

Dr. Stan Ardoin, medical director for the Oklahoma Department of Mental Health and Substance Abuse Services, said substance abuse is considered by many to be the nation’s No. 1 public health concern.

“It takes a huge emotional toll on the families of substance abusers and the abuser himself,” Ardoin said. “Nearly everyone has someone close to them who has been negatively involved with substances.”

In Oklahoma, about 250,000 adults and more than 31,000 youth need substance abuse treatment, the ODMHSAS reports.

That doesn’t include individuals addicted to video games, pornography, sex, food, shopping and gambling. And with its state-run lottery, race tracks and an ever-growing number of casinos, Oklahoma is a haven for gambling.



SITUATION IN EDMOND

How many Edmond residents are suffering from an addiction or substance abuse problem?

Each week, The Sun reviews police incident reports revealing lives upended by marijuana, alcohol and other drugs. A number of these individuals are school-age juveniles.

One barometer comes from Jim Riley Outreach, an Edmond addiction recovery program.

During an average week about 100 individuals suffering from all types of addictions from across the country call, said Jim Riley, program founder. Of those, about 25 percent are from Edmond.

Pat Nichols, founder of the local chapter of Parents Helping Parents, said according to several sources, about 80 percent of youth drink before graduating from high school, 53 percent try at least one illegal drug and 20 percent become addicted to a substance.



MORE CONSEQUENCES

Some addicts and substance abusers appear to live a “normal” life — they are able to hold a job and maintain relationships — while others virtually are consumed by their substance of choice.

Nichols said the majority of addicts and alcoholics live at home and have a job. A consequence of addiction is the slow but painful demise of the quality of life of the addict and family members, he said.

“Denial and the manipulation of the disease combine to destroy the physical, mental, spiritual and financial health of not just the addict, but family members as well,” Nichols said. “As long as the disease remains in the home everyone will pay a very high price.”

In 1989, Edmond resident Janella Tears founded the Victims’ Impact Panel of Oklahoma, an organization aimed at combating drunk driving.

Tears said the consequences of addiction and substance abuse include broken homes, broken relationships, loss of health, loss of ambition, loss of possessions, depression and death.

Nichols said it can take years to assess all the devastation created by an addiction.

“There’s a lot at stake here. It’s not a simple thing,” Nichols said. “It’s a complex issue.”



LEGAL CONSEQUENCES

It is said there are three possible outcomes for a true addict — jail, death or sobriety.

Glynda Chu, spokeswoman for the Edmond Police Department, said addictions can be powerful, often ruining lives, and they can take lives.

Out-of-control addictions that lead to an arrest affect not just the person but their entire family, friends, neighbors and employers.

“It can cause great shame and embarrassment for the person and their loved ones,” Chu said. “It can also cause financial hardship on the families if a job is lost, or a parent is suddenly absent from the family.”

While the actual arrest can be a frightening experience, the legal process can be long and both mentally and financially exhausting.

If the addiction leads to prison time or time in rehabilitation the affects can be long-lasting, Chu said. A prison record can make it difficult for them to get a job and return to the life and lifestyle they had before the addiction or substance abuse, she said.

Ardoin said substance dependence and abuse obviously increase crime, the burden of crime on the victims and the cost of law enforcement. He said in one way or another substance dependence and abuse affect all Oklahomans.

Substance abuse contributes to 85 percent of all homicides, 80 percent of all prison incarcerations, 75 percent of all divorces, 65 percent of all child abuse cases, 55 percent of all domestic assaults, 1/2 or more of all accidental deaths from fire, falls and drownings, half of all traffic fatalities, 40 percent of work-related fatal injuries, 35 percent of all rapes and 1/3 of all suicides, according to a 2005 information from a state task force.

Nichols said the consequences of addiction and substance abuse boil down to individuals — sons and daughters — who choose to use a substance, which can lead to a disease.

Nichols said often it is up to others — mothers and fathers — to help them return to wholeness.



ADDICTION AND ABUSE: COUNTING THE COSTS

Substance abuse costs Oklahoma more than $5.8 billion annually, according to the 2005 Governor’s and Attorney General’s Blue Ribbon Task Force. Of that amount, $1.4 billion involves direct costs including prisons, jails and emergency room visits, and the remaining $4.4 billion involves indirect costs related to lost worker productivity, absenteeism, high turnover and premature death.

Each year, more than 6,500 students drop out of state colleges and universities due to problems related to alcohol, according to the task force. This costs these institutions more than $11 million in tuition revenue. Officials say that likely is the “tip of the iceberg” in terms of costs for these campuses and surrounding communities.

In fiscal year 2009, 21,063 individuals received substance abuse services through the Oklahoma Department of Mental Health and Substance Abuse Services. Compared with the huge number of people who really need substance abuse services, there is a huge gap. It is estimated that fewer than 5 percent of youth with substance abuse issues in Oklahoma receive appropriate services.



Source: Oklahoma Department of Mental Health and Substance Abuse Services



marks@edmondsun.com | 341-2121, ext. 108