Dr. Kirk Young of the Program Committee had the pleasure of introducing the guest speakers, Steve Kilburn, from COMBAT Addiction CHQ. Also introduced two of Steve’s supporting staff members, MacKenna Graham and Katie Young.

Steve Kilburn is the grant Projects Director for the Chautauqua County Department of Mental Hygiene, overseeing federal grants and partnering with several agencies to combat overdose and addiction in Chautauqua County. Mr. Kilburn grew up in Western Pennsylvania and in central New York. He earned his bachelor’s degree at Cornell University, served as a U.S. Peace corps Volunteer and later obtained a Master’s degree from Regent College in Vancouver, B.C.

Steve Kilburn and staff were at the meeting to present the told truths, as the community is well aware of the addiction and overdose crisis in Chautauqua County. Not only here, but the data from 2021 revealed the highest numbers of people affected by the ongoing drug crisis state wide and nationally. Sadly, 2022 data is not that much improved. The reasons that people find themselves in addiction and the realities that go along with addiction are more present. Yet, it is still a rising death toll compared to other causes of death.

Addressing addiction and its direct consequences is extremely costly. Based on the numbers of people affected by addiction, the prevalence of addiction is huge with stigmas associated with it, like being extremely isolated, tragic deaths, other health issues and the effects on the healthcare system.

The prevalence of the synthetic opioid, fentanyl is a large contributor to causing untimely death. Because of fentanyl being used in so many other forms, drugs laced with fentanyl, heroin barely exists as it has been replaced with this deadly drug. The two most prevalent chemicals, man made with no agricultural connection, that are the big contributors to fatalities are fentanyl and methamphetamine. The amount that is produced of both man made substances is staggering. They can be made at a cheap cost and with industrial chemicals. Fentanyl overdoses for Americans, ages 18 - 45, have been the leading cause of death since 2019 through 2021.

There have been waves of the opioid crisis since we’ve known about it, beginning with excessive prescribing of pain killers, names OxyContin. The second phase was heroin and then into fentanyl. So, the opioid crises has seen a transformation of what is used. Chautauqua County is considered a high-density drug trafficking area because of the proximity to major cities and two major highways.

There have been some healing solutions to help the situation. Combat CHQ is a one stop place that provides a variety of resources to help combat addiction. To learn more visit www.combataddictionchq.com as well as Facebook, Instagram and YouTube. There are lots of services that are connected such as multiple outpatient clinics, inpatient rehab, methadone clinics, the distribution of Narcan, which has had an effect on reducing the number of overdoses. As well as local agencies, Prevention Works, Mental Health Association and the Chautauqua Center, all having part in the harm reduction.

The story of organized crime is not spoken about and left for interpretation on how sophisticated it can be as it contributes to more addictions, therefore fatalities. There are complex reasons as it pertains to how people develop addiction, physical health problems, mental health problems, severe pain, other people at home suffering with pain, family dynamics, poor living conditions, extreme poverty, hopelessness, unemployment and motivation. Some people do perceive their drug problem to be a solution to the other problems. In summary, despite so many impressive services that are available to gain control over the situation, there is still a host of other issues that just don’t get treated and need more attention. Harm reduction reduces harm but there is also healing introduction. There are a lot of people who are in recovery. It is not an uncommon story but there are inspiring stories on how people have committed to their healing and recovery.

A donation will be made in honor of Combat Addiction CHQ, Steve Kilburn, Katie Young and MacKenna Graham, toward vaccinating 4 children who will never experience polio in their life.

For a full view of the Combat CHQ presentation visit Rotary of Jamestown YouTube channel:

https://youtu.be/n1kEDB_A3L8