The scourge of opioid addiction continues to affect and destroy communities and families across the nation as well as those in the Lehigh Valley.

On Saturday morning, Parkland High School hosted a Lehigh Valley Forum on the opioid epidemic, featuring a wide array of speakers and experts.

Panelists included Dr. Thomas Meade, chief of knee arthroplasty at Coordinated Health; Pauline Vargo, RPh, Medicap Pharmacy; Pennsylvania State Police Sgt. Kevin Smith; Parkland High School team physician Dr. Nick Slenker; J. Layne Turner, MPA, director of Lehigh County Drug and Alcohol Abuse Services; Donna Jacobsen, Lehigh Valley Parent and Family Support Group; Dr. Bruce Nicholson, anesthesiologist for Lehigh Valley Hospital Network; Congressman Charlie Dent, R-15th; state Sen. Dave Argall, R-29th; and Marta Gabriel, regional manager for U.S. Sen. Pat Toomey, R-Pa.

Meade discusses narcotic free orthopaedic surgery

Meade said opioids have been the historical standard by which all pain medication has been measured. Unfortunately, pain medications, in many cases, cause a plethora of side effects.

“We can’t afford the way we’re doing this now,” he said. “There has to be a better way.”

Meade stressed physicians prescribe too many narcotics too often.

Instead, he began using the Swift Path Program for joint replacement surgery “to address the opioid problem in surgery.”

The program uses a non-narcotic approach to surgery by moving from opioids to multimodel pain management.

“We’re really at the foundation of getting rid of most narcotics,” he said.

Vargo discusses opioids in schools

“There’s definitely a problem with opioids in our communities,” she said, adding deaths attributed to opioid use are on the rise.

Vargo said 12th grade students typically obtain prescription drugs from a friend for free, purchase from a friend or have access through a prescription.

If a parent suspects their child is using opioids, Vargo recommended the parent remain calm.

“How you react can definitely have an impact on how their recovery will go,” she said.

Vargo also suggested the parent obtain naloxone, which is used to treat and reverse narcotic overdoses.

Smith discusses police enforcement

According to Smith, those addicted to opioids are seeking stronger drugs. Smith said the community needs to take a greater role in treatment and education.

“The elements of heroin addiction go further than putting the person away,” he said.

Since the teenage and younger population frequently use social media outlets, Smith suggested such forums be used to disseminate the message that opioid use is dangerous.

Parents, he added, should also be more vigilant.

“Be ready for their friends to switch because they’re going to be looking for the next high,” Smith said.

Slenker discusses sports injuries, opioid addiction

“As physicians we have to do a better job,’” he said. “We have to be more vigilant in prescribing medications.”

Warning signs of addiction among athletes include depression and the athlete using the prescription medication longer than they should, Slenker added.

Turner discusses opioid problem

Turner said heroin is now the drug of choice in Lehigh County, with the county averaging twice the national average for drug overdose deaths.

“We’re losing our youth,” he said.

According to Turner, the age of consent for receiving drug and alcohol treatment should be changed. Now, he said, the age of consent is birth.

“By law, there is none,” he said.

He recommended the age be increased to 14 to empower parents to make choices.

“A lot of these parents are powerless,” Turner said. “The system is stacked against them.”

Treatment, Turner emphasized, is available to every county resident whether they have insurance or not.