Today is International Overdose Awareness Day, and before we get into the weeds about what that actually means, I want you to take a second and really contemplate these facts: the US alone has experienced a 30% rise in overdose deaths in 2020, with more than 93,000 recorded in a 12-month period…the highest ever on record. Mental health challenges exacerbated by Covid-19, combined with an increase in lethal synthetic drugs like fentanyl, has created a perfect storm that continues to ravage our country and the world with no signs of slowing down.
In honor of International Overdose Awareness Day, I sat down with SAFE Project Founder, Ret. Admiral James “Sandy” Winnefeld and Ret. Captain Bill Pinamont. SAFE Project stands for Stop the Addiction Fatality Epidemic and was co-founded by Admiral Winnefeld and his wife Mary Winnefeld shortly after losing their son Jonathan to an accidental overdose of fentanyl. Soon after Jonathan’s death, the Winnefelds immediately took action, dedicating themselves to do whatever they could to help prevent other parents from experiencing the same unimaginable grief.
Joining Ret. Admiral Winnefeld is Ret. Navy Captain Bill Pinamont, Sr. Director of Veterans Programs at SAFE Project. Bill and the team at SAFE Project have established veteran-specific programs designed to support military veterans and their families who have experienced substance use disorders and mental health challenges. Some of the topics covered in my discussion with Admiral Winnefeld and Mr. Pinamont include:
· Working collaboratively with communities, campuses, workplaces, and active-duty service members, veterans and their families to bring non-partisan effective solutions to the overdose epidemic.
· Fighting stigma associated substance misuse and mental health issues, both for the veteran and civilian community.
· Building SAFE Veterans programs: Unpacking Your Emotional Ruck, Veteran Wellness, and Virtual Veterans
· Sharing resources if you or a loved one is experiencing addiction or mental health issues. For more information about SAFE Project, be sure to check out www.SAFEproject.us or their social media links found below.
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/safeprojectus/
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/SAFEprojectUS/
Twitter: https://twitter.com/safeprojectus
YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UC2nv0nYVOYTz3iY6_h5eNoQ