Social media poses a threat in encouraging the use of opioids
Getty Images By Sophie Kao Social media has always been known for being a major influencer on how people dress, study, talk, and more. This includes the way people can perceive unhealthy things such as drugs or alcohol. When people use social media, what once may have been stigmatized is now being presented as harmless…
Social media’s impact on opioid use
Getty Images By Kaavya Ravi Shankar The opioid crisis has become a serious public health issue in Alameda County. In recent years, opioid-related overdoses have increased, affecting individuals and communities in many ways. While the crisis is often discussed in terms of adults, it is also increasingly impacting teenagers. For youth, this issue is especially…
Different stories, same crisis: The opioid epidemic touches everyone
By Tyna Chhabra The opioid epidemic doesn’t discriminate; it affects people from all different backgrounds and walks of life. The crisis dates back to the late 1990s, when opioids were widely prescribed as pain medication following surgeries, unknowingly setting off a chain of addiction. While everyone’s story looks different, they are all connected by the…
Five unexpected ways opioids can harm users
Getty Images By Riya Upadhyaya Society has warned kids from a young age not to do drugs. Whether it’s through Tri-Valley’s DARE programs, which educate youth about alcohol and drugs, or “Just say no” campaigns, we’ve ingrained the same message in our nation’s youth countless times: don’t do drugs or you’ll get addicted. Similarly, many…
Recovery without barriers: Expanding addiction treatment for the blind and visually impaired
Getty Images By Anna Jiang Spending for substance abuse disorder (SUD) in the United States grew from $40.9 billion in 2000 to $139.6 billion in 2021, and the number of treatment facilities increased from approximately 11,000 in 2000 to more than 17,800 in 2024. However, certain communities remain overlooked and disregarded despite them needing just…
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