In the late 1990s, pharmaceutical companies reassured the medical community that patients would not become addicted to prescription opioid pain relievers, and healthcare providers began to prescribe them at greater rates. This led to widespread misuse of these medications before it became clear that the substances handed out were, in fact, highly addictive. Since then, opioid abuse rates have skyrocketed and the number of opioid overdoses resulting in death has reached a shocking 130 per day.
Last year, Frederick County alone saw 55 fatal overdoses related to opioid misuse.
This is a national crisis, but it hits closer to home now more than ever as Frederick’s own opioid crisis continues to gather momentum.
That’s why, in September, we ask our members to support the Frederick County Goes Purple movement. The color purple is associated with National Recovery Month in September, so the entire community is encouraged to “go purple” to bring awareness and understanding of mental health and substance use disorders, and to celebrate those living in recovery.
Addiction affects us all, whether we know it or not. In our personal lives, our workplace, in our community. People fighting addiction in Frederick need our support, and by wearing purple and supporting the movement, we are sending the message that help is out there, that support is out there. No one is alone, not in Frederick County. Together, our community can help stop the rising tide of the opioid epidemic. The Frederick County Goes Purple movement is being spearheaded by Crossed Bridges. Frederick County Goes Purple is their first initiative in an overarching effort to improve the lives of all those in the Frederick area and beyond.
Going purple has been a game changer in several counties across Maryland. With your help it could be a game changer here in Frederick as well. Would your business consider adopting the cause and helping lead the way in Frederick County? For more information on how your business can support the cause, we encourage you to visit their site by clicking here.
Frederick Chamber Insights is a news outlet of the Frederick County Chamber of Commerce. For more information about membership, programs and initiatives, please visit our website.