GRIDLEY, CA (MPG) - Gridley’s American Association of University Women (AAUW) hosted a panel of distinguished guest speakers at their Opioid Crisis Discussion Panel, held last week at the Gridley Recreation Center at Vierra Park.

The panel, led by Orchard Hospital CEO Steve Stark, alongside Orchard Hospital Social Worker Elisha Wilkerson and Medical Specialty Center Director and Family Therapist Kirsten Storne-Piazza, shared vital statistics regarding the opioid crisis, its impact on Butte County and what Orchard Hospital is doing to combat and prevent opioid addiction in its patients.

The numbers are staggering. Butte County is among the top 4 highest counties prescribing opioids within the State of California. The amount of opioids prescribed to residents in Butte County alone would equal 1 prescription for every one of the 39.5 million residents of California. Currently, the United States represents 99% of opioid prescription use world-wide. Opioid overdose claims 78 victims a day and 50% of those deaths involve prescriptions.

Orchard Hospital is doing their part with those at a local level to help those who may be struggling with opioid dependency. Providers are required by law to check the CURES database, which tracks opioid related prescriptions, before prescribing to patients. If the patient has recently received any other opioid prescriptions at other locations or from other providers, red flags are raised and prescription is denied.

Providers are required to print a copy to be filed in the patient’s chart. The CURES database hopes to reduce the potential of opioid abuse, overdose and stop illegal circulation of the drugs on the streets.

Additionally, the Pain Management Clinic at the Orchard Medical Specialty Center, overseen by Doctor Ashe, offers support to manage chronic pain without turning to opioids for relief. A 3-part team made up of Dr. Ashe, Social Worker Elisha Wilkerson, and Medical Assistants work with those struggling with opioid dependency, slowly reducing the dosage of opioids to zero and providing an array of options.

Patients enter into a contract and agree to mandatory drug testing in order to monitor their progress towards a pain-free, addiction-free future.

Stark states, “I am proud of our program and with the help of the opioid prescribing guidelines posted in every exam room, our physicians don’t get bullied when they refuse to prescribe.” He adds, “We are leading the charge in the county, maybe even the state,” in the fight to reduce opioid dependency, misuse, and overdose.