By now, we are all aware of the growing opioid addiction in the United States. Nearly three million people in the U.S. have or currently suffer from opioid addiction, with more than 500,000 individuals reliant on heroin. Unfortunately, human trafficking and opioid addiction are routinely correlated.
A recent survey shows that nearly 85 percent of trafficking victims used substances during their abuse. This statistic is not shocking after learning that drug and alcohol addiction is one of the primary tools used by abusers to physically and emotionally numb their victims. Reports further reveal that some traffickers even employ directly from substance abuse treatment facilities.
Opioid legislation seems to receive constantly scrutiny from both sides of the aisle. However, the lag in decision-making is detrimental to victims of substance abuse. Between 2019 to June 2020, opioid addiction reached a dismal record of over 83,000 people dying due to drug overdoses.
With the COVID-19 pandemic taking the front seat to many current issues and events, solutions for the opioid crisis have come to a halt. “While COVID-19 may have pushed our problems with overdoses to the backburner, they’re still boiling over,’ said Beau Kilmer, director of the Rand Drug Policy Research Center.”
Innovative ideas on combating the opioid crisis in the U.S. are vital to helping human trafficking victims. COVID-19 lockdown regulations have made addiction assistance programs less available to victims and survivors suffering from substance abuse. Now more than ever is a detrimental need for a joint legislation effort to thwart opioid abuse.
Join Restored Wings in the continued effort to support victims of human trafficking suffering from opioid addiction. Go to https://www.rejuvenatingwomen.com/get-involved/ to learn how you can help your community.
If you suspect someone is being trafficked, REPORT HUMAN TRAFFICKING → 1-888-373-7888
help@humantraffickinghotline.org | humantraffickinghotline.org
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Restored Wings
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www.rejuvenatingwomen.com
P.O. Box 207
Boys Town, NE 68010
Telephone: (800) 402-0601
Email: info@restoredwings.org
