It is devastating to know the reality that 93,331 people in our country lost their lives in 2020 to an overdose according to new federal data. These are sons, daughters, mothers, fathers, aunts, uncles, and grandparents, not just a number. We know that the economic impact of COVID-19 combined with the unprecedented isolation and uncertainty in our country has exacerbated the already severe addiction crisis. While these statistics may seem overwhelming, this is a solvable crisis. It will not be solved overnight, and we need the commitment from government, corporations, and all people, but we do know the key steps needed to start saving lives immediately.  Shatterproof has already been implementing solutions and has a roadmap to save more lives.

• Invest in quality, evidence-based treatment
• Integrate care for mental health and substance use disorder into the primary care setting
• Encourage treatment by reducing stigma (Shatterproof’s National Movement to End Addiction Stigma to break down stigma and offer recovery friendly workplaces and Shatterproof’s Addiction Language Guide to end the use of stigmatizing language are great resources)
• Reduce overdose deaths and harm through evidence-based interventions
• Prevent addiction by investing in youth prevention

Equally important to these policies and programs, Shatterproof offers free life-saving tools on our website, at our find help section, where individuals or loved ones can determine if it is time to seek treatment, the different types of treatment available,  what level of care is needed, identifying the right treatment provider based on quality metrics, how to pay for treatment and support available as you or your loved one walks through this overwhelming time.

Finally, Shatterproof wants loved ones to be honored appropriately and therefore we have created the National Addiction Memorial as a place to share photos and the stories of the loved ones lost to substance use disorder.

It is vital that the revelation of these tragic numbers does not result in hopelessness, but a renewed focus on solutions to this crisis.

About Shatterproof:
Shatterproof is a national nonprofit organization dedicated to reversing the addiction crisis in the United States. Shatterproof harnesses the models of business, the rigor of science and the power of a national movement to create change and save lives through three pillars of work: revolutionizing the addiction treatment system, breaking down addiction-related stigmas and supporting and empowering our communities. To learn more visit www.Shatterproof.org