Jim Lyle, Associate Director, Tulsa Area Community Services Council, has asked me to coordinate a community response to The Opioid Crisis in Oklahoma. Since that time ODMHSAS has asked to be a part, and has even agreed to sponsor a statewide initiative. Below you will find what the "crisis" is all about.

In March 2008, SAMHSA announced that Oklahoma tops the nation in prescription painkiller addiction. According to SAMHSA, 6.7% of Oklahomans over 12 years of age use painkillers, http://newsok.com/article/3212728 .
The rapid growth of prescription painkiller addiction has been fueled by the
burgeoning number online pharmacies and their overwhelming, but effective, email spamming. This cheap, plentiful, and reliable source of drugs, which doesn't involve risky or criminal associations has changed the "profile" of addiction, examples include:

• Heath Ledger
• Rush Limbaugh
• Wife of the Oklahoma County DA in 2002

The Oklahoma Bureau Narcotics and Dangerous Drugs estimates that 87,000
painkiller addicts reside in Oklahoma. Taking a pro rata share of that number, based upon the 2006 population estimates of the US Bureau of Census, some 13,000 painkiller addicts live in Tulsa County, even more in Oklahoma County.

Now the plot thickens. The DEA and the Oklahoma Bureau Narcotics and Dangerous Drugs are doing an excellent job shutting down illegal online pharmacies, doctor-shopping, etc., dramatically drying up supplies. This huge population is starting to see rapidly rising prices and unavailability. People are getting sick and desperate. What happens next? Ripples will be felt through the criminal justice, social services, behavioral health and health care fields.

Please contact me if you would:

1) Like to be involved in a community response.
2) Would like us to present an inservice at your agency or at meetings or
conferences open to the public.

Thank you,

Dan Cross, Regional Director, Marketing & PR
Native Health Systems
2727 E Admiral, Tulsa, OK 74110
918-835-3017
Email

Locations in:
Quapaw Counseling Services
Miami, OK & OKC
Keetoowah Cherokee Treatment Services
Tulsa