Opiate Overdose is an Epidemic NOT Made Famous by Cory Monteith

As a community outreach professional, activist and advocate for overdose prevention and drug awareness, so many people over the past week have been asking me, "What do you think about Cory Monteith's death?" Now that the autopsy has been released and a heroin + alcohol overdose has been revealed, I will give you my official answer.

I am sorry if this offends all of the Gleek's out there, but this is the reality of the situation. Here's the truth...from my lips to God's ears. I think that Cory like Heath Ledger, DJ AM, Whitney Houston, Michael Jackson, and like local overdose victims such as Alex Laliberte, John Kacena, Brandon Ghetzler, Nicholas Beinlich, Louis Miceli, Jeremy Stom, Jean Stom, Michael Barlett, Jason Bochette, Chad Lucarelli, Justin Noll and more was...human. I think he was a human being with a mental health related disease, possibly multiple ones. Every day in the US, 100 people die from overdose. Although Cory was Canadian and died in Canada, indulge me when I say that on the day he died, approximately 99 other people died as well in this country. 

The message is clear: opiate overdose is an epidemic. It is in Buffalo Grove in the most affluent neighborhoods as well as those developments less monetarily influenced. People from all walks of life misuse or are addicted to opiates. It is more common than any one of us realizes, but it is a disease that is sadly plagued by shame and secrecy. The stigmas against addicts only seem to subside when overdose claims the life of a celebrated celebrity as "good hearted" or "talented" as Cory Monteith. I have no doubt that Cory was a great person and my heart breaks for his family and loved ones. But so is regular everyday Average Joe American. My brother, Alex Laliberte, was an exemplary person. He was kind. He was gentle. He was sensitive. He was human. 

Why is it that we as a culture rise up in concern when overdose occurs to someone well known, and then once press stops covering the event, we forget about it?

Why is it that cancer, diabetes, ALS, and other diseases get the funding, attention and empathy, but the disease of addiction gets the worst possible criticism and lack of support by our government and the general public?

Why is it that you have to die of an overdose in order for people to pay close attention to the disease of addiction? 

I hope my comments do not offend anyone. If they do, please accept my apology. For nearly five years I have been dealing with the criticism I describe and have listened to so many people walk away from Live4Lali's booth at local community events with even the mention of the word heroin. If you don't think drugs can enter your home, you are wrong. This is not the time to risk the chance of that occurring. We are in the middle of a cultural ignorance war and one that myself along with tens of hundreds of others in Lake County are battling daily for each and every citizen. 

I am always sad to hear about an overdose passing. But, the truth is...I hear about another overdose EVERY WEEK, multiple times a week, from different parts of this state, region and country. Black, white, brown, rich, poor, old, young (and too many at that). Opiates do not discriminate. 

Tied to the story of Cory Monteith's death should have been messages like:

- Don't use alone.
- If you are going to use, do so with someone who is trained to administer Naloxone and carries it with them.
And..
- Anyone can become addicted.
Even Finn Hidson. 

Stay safe and PLEASE learn about, spread the message about and get trained in the use of Naloxone TODAY. 

If you are interested in getting trained, please come to Live4Lali's 5th annual summer concert & fundraiser, Lali-Palooza's Battle of the Bands. There will be FOUR trainings by Caroline Kacena at 2:30 pm, 3:30 pm, 4:30 pm and 5:30 pm. Along with the Office of Lake County State's Attorney Mike Nerheim, we invite you to join us as we celebrate the power of community! By calling attention to the importance of drug awareness, and the prevention of drug use, misuse, addiction and overdose, we can provide effective solutions to stimulate positive cultural change. You can also check out our Facebook page for updates at LaliPalooza2013.

If you have any questions about my comments OR if you would like to learn more, do not hesitate to reach out to me at chelsea@live4lali.org. Thank you for reading.