A Long-Running Crisis Just Exploded in the Background

For the first time in the history of the opioid crisis, the rate of Black overdose deaths has surpassed the rate of White overdose deaths in the US. According to the Pew research center, the overdose rate of black men has increased an alarming 3.1x since 2015. Alarmingly, the rate increased 44% in 2020 alone. We don’t have the numbers for 2021 yet, but we’re concerned the rate may be even higher now given continued trends underlying this figure of concern.

What Trends Got Us Here?

Since the Opioid Crisis began to pick up steam in roughly 2001, it has been perceived as an issue primarily experienced by poor, White populations within the US. After all, White men have long been the most common casualties of opioid overdoses. However, since 2015, rates of overdose have increased at an extreme pace in Black communities. 

For people who overdose, a history of substance use was common, however a history of treatment for substance use was rare, especially among people of color. According to a new CDC Vital Signs report, only about 1 in 12 black people who received treatment for an overdose had ever received treatment for substance use problems. This is where access to help is crucial. But access is not the only factor. In 2020, overdose rates were ironically higher in areas where there was more availability of opioid treatment facilities. Stigma, healthcare mistrust, and other barriers to care are major problems facing our communities.

Additionally, men of color are particularly likely to self-medicate in the face of challenges rather than making use of professional help. According to the National Alliance on Mental Illness, “Instead of seeking professional help for conditions such as depression and anxiety, many in the community resort to self-medication (drugs, opioids, alcohol, etc.) or isolation in an attempt to solve their problems on their own.” This is reflected in the fact that, of men ages 18-44 who experience daily feelings of anxiety or depression, only about 1 in 4 Black and Hispanic men were likely to have used mental health services, while about 1 in 2 non-Hispanic White men with the same feelings made use of mental health services.

Lastly, fentanyl and fentanyl analogues are becoming increasingly prevalent in street drugs in urban communities of color. The increased prevalence of fentanyl being unknowingly consumed through laced narcotics appears to be a significant factor in recent overdose prevalence. According to Dr. Kavita Babu, a medical toxicologist, “over 64 percent of [overdose] deaths” in May 2020 to April 2021 were “due to synthetic opioids like fentanyl and its analogs.” Because of this, it is more important than ever for naloxone to be widely available in communities at risk (our facility always has naloxone readily available in case of emergency).

So What Can We Do?

Two factors are particularly important to productively respond to this crisis: 1) mental health care and substance use treatment provided in a manner that avoids (or even decreases) stigma and 2) accessible substance use recovery services.

At Fathers’ Uplift we are working hard to help change the stigma and mistrust in our communities. And our approach has been proven to work, as clients report a 15% increased likelihood to confide in a mental health professional within 6 months of experiencing services. We want access to mental health care, prevention, harm reduction, and recovery services to be just a call away for anyone who needs them. And, more than that, we want people to feel the trust and safety they need in order to make that call.

We are also strong advocates (and providers) of several prevention services. Whether this be with the use of harm reduction processes, direct service, or (in emergencies) overdose reversal drugs, we are committed to doing everything we can in the fight against opioid overdoses. If you know someone in need of help in their road to recovery, consider referring them to our Wellness, Relapse Prevention & Recovery Course, where we help men through recovery with no judgment and in an atmosphere of trust and authenticity.

Regardless of why or how the opioid epidemic is disproportionately affecting black people, at Fathers’ uplift we are committed to helping the community overcome all the barriers that lead to overdose. Opioids are a serious problem that remain prevalent in communities of all color, but we continue to do our best to aid the community to prevent overdoses, overcome SUDs, and bring the community together to fight the opioid epidemic.

If you want to help us to continue to meet this advancing need, perhaps you may consider a monthly donation? Consistent support helps to make our work sustainable.

Additionally, if you or anyone you know could benefit from our recovery and prevention services or other courses or mental health services, please refer them to sign up HERE.