Augusta, Ga. Researchers Tackle Rising Fentanyl Crisis
Almost every family in Augusta is connected to a fentanyl death in one way or another, and the reality of this situation is causing deep concern across the community. But hope is on the horizon, as researchers in Augusta are diligently working on solutions to combat this devastating epidemic.
A Personal Journey of Recovery
Meet Jordan Lewis, a peer support specialist at the Aiken Center who uses his experience to help others. “I love my job,” Lewis says with a smile, as he reflects on the meaning and purpose it brings to his life. “I get to help people change their lives.” His journey to this fulfilling career was paved with struggles, including a battle with drug addiction. “I needed more of it to cope with how bad my life was,” he shared. “Then it was a never-ending cycle.”
Currently, Lewis is enjoying five years of sobriety, dedicating his life to assisting others who want to make similar changes. However, he points out that the drugs hitting the streets today are more dangerous than ever before. “This is the most dangerous time in America to just experiment with drugs, ” he warns. “Fentanyl is stronger, more addictive, and much harder to quit than anything we’ve seen, even heroin.”
A Stark Reality of Fentanyl Addiction
According to Babek Baban, a researcher at Wellstar MCG Health, “We have between 200 to 300 people per day that are dying from fentanyl overdose or abuse of fentanyl.” It’s staggering to think that so many lives are lost daily due to this substance. With this alarming statistic in mind, Dr. Baban’s team has recently developed new treatment strategies for fentanyl users, involving CBD therapy.
Dr. Phillip Wang, a neuroscientist at Wellstar MCG Health, explains, “CBD has been shown to be effective as an ancillary drug. It reduces anxiety, which is a main factor that leads to relapse of addiction.” The potential benefits of this research could pave the way for improved recovery options for those struggling with addiction.
Community Impact & Growth
The effects of the fentanyl crisis are not confined to individual lives but ripple out into the larger community as well. Lewis is optimistic about the potential for new research to save more lives. “The landscape of the drug community has changed dramatically,” he says. “Fentanyl is on the scene. Fentanyl is pretty much in a lot of different drugs, especially the harder drugs.”
Data from Georgia shows a staggering increase in fentanyl overdose deaths, rising by 308% from 2019 over three years, resulting in more than 1,600 lives lost in a single year alone. South Carolina has also felt the heavy toll, with fentanyl overdose deaths rising by 9% in just one year.
Hope on the Horizon
In the midst of this sobering reality, there is a bright spot with the resilience and determination shown by recovery specialists like Lewis. With ongoing research and a community willing to fight back, there’s hope that awareness and treatment will help turn the tide in this battle against fentanyl.
As Lewis states, “The landscape of the drug community has changed dramatically.” But with researchers working tirelessly to combat this epidemic, Augusta holds promise for a future where families are no longer touched by the tragedy of fentanyl-related deaths. It’s time for communities to unite, support one another, and work toward lasting solutions.
