Summer also finds me restless for the weekend at times and anticipating fun activities — and I know I’m not alone. It’s human nature. We’re programmed to look at the next step, and often evaluate it quickly, labeling it as a positive or a negative. I’ve tried to build a hopeful outlook throughout my life, and tend to lean toward being positive, but it’s also common to dwell on the negative. Unfortunately, many people don’t see hope on the path ahead, especially when significant life stresses or an issue like depression is present.
Unfortunately, the mental health crisis is real, and a major issue across the United States, in North Carolina, Macon County, and right here in our town of Franklin. Some cope by using drugs, and they are all around us. Even though we may not hear their collective cry for help, it’s there. We must realize that the addiction crisis and the mental health crisis are also intertwined.
Rather than judging those who struggle with addiction, it’s important to understand that there’s nearly no one who hasn’t been affected somehow by the drug crisis. According to the North Carolina Department of Health and Human Services (NCDHHS), more than 28,000 North Carolinians died from drug overdoses between 2000 and 2020. Each of these represents a tragedy for families and loved ones. Sadly, the COVID-19 pandemic lead to increased drug misuse and abuse as more people feel hopeless and lose sight of their value.
Though the solutions to this overwhelming problem are complex, we have to turn the tide, through better treatment, destigmatizing addiction and seeking mental health services, and meeting those struggling where they are, with compassion and hope.
August 31st is International Overdose Awareness Day, and when I consider the types of dangerous drugs we’re dealing with now, it makes my youth growing up in western North Carolina seem tame in comparison. The only illicit substances we were aware of then were tobacco, alcohol and maybe a mimosa tree seed pod, which were said to give those who chewed them a “high” feeling. Like how the mimosa tree can grow almost anywhere, there’s no household that’s immune to the risk of addiction.
The Centers of Disease Control (CDC) states that overdose deaths have risen by a staggering 30% in just 2020, and an additional 15% in the following year, 2021. Across the country, 107,622 overdose deaths were reported for that period.
I hear many people express relief that our community isn’t affected, but this couldn’t be further from the truth, sadly. The NCDHHS reported overdose deaths rising by a startling 37% in 2020 across the state. In 2021, Macon County experienced a rate of 44.5 deaths per 100,000 people, significantly higher than the state average of 33.5 .
This data weighs heavily on my heart. Angel Medical Center (AMC), along with our community partners, see and feel this reality every day. Again, it also pains me to hear people declaring that, with regard to these drug casualties, “they are not that person,” that they’d never get caught up in the spiral of addiction, or possibly the worst, that if someone loses their life through an overdose, they somehow deserve it.
We again have to return to the CDC data, which reflects that a full 83% of deaths by overdose were not intentional. In 2021 alone, North Carolina lost 1,600 to heroin, 800 to cocaine, and 1,800 to commonly prescribed household medications. We must remember that failing to secure prescription medications or using medications for any purpose other than what they were prescribed for is a leading cause of overdose deaths.
I want to encourage our community to embrace those with mental illness and addiction challenges, lock up your medications and discard any unused ones, and to do all you can to support those struggling. It might mean volunteering for a local community organization, or supporting a friend as they discuss a problem. On October 29, Angel Medical Center will hold its Crush the Crisis drug take back day. More information to come on that event.
Now for some positive news: AMC nominates four people annually who have shown outstanding pride and work for the hospital and this community. In the Excellence in Nursing Category, we chose two outstanding Emergency Room nurses, Patricia “Janie” Key and Duane McHan.
Both provides excellent care and demonstrate the passion and compassion that make Angel such a special place.
In the Frist Humanitarian Award category, we chose Gay Todson, a long-time volunteer with a heart for the staff and people that come to seek care at Angel. She has accumulated more than 12,000 volunteer hours, and is such a help and blessing to our team.
The last award is the Innovators award, and we’ve nominated Rick VanGilder for his special talent of finding ways throughout the pandemic to bring a smile to the faces of our staff and patients.
Congratulations to these four outstanding employees. It’s hard to nominate just a few when there are so many passionate people serving the healthcare needs of our community with such dedication.
Finally, a new facility update! We are still slated to open on September 18, 2022 at 6:00 am. We will have a time for the community to come out and see the facility and get the exciting behind-the-scenes tour. This is a great step and enhances our ability to provide excellent care, close to home, to this special community.
Clint Kendall, FACHE, MBA, MSN, BSN, RN, is Chief Executive Officer/Chief Nursing Officer of Angel Medical Center. He started his career as a nurse, and that perspective still informs his work and passion for the patient experience. Clint holds a Master’s Degree in Business Administration, Nursing, and Health Care Management from the University of Phoenix, and a Bachelor of Science in Nursing from Western Carolina University. Clint has also earned the Certified Professional in Patient Safety (CPPS) certification, and is a member of the American College of Healthcare Executives (ACHE), the American Organization of Nurse Executives (AONE), and the American Nurses Association (ANA).
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