ASAC volunteer speaks to the truth on opioid epidemic

     “This is a topic that is near and dear to me.”

     Tim McGullam with ASAC (Area Substance Abuse Council) spoke eloquently and passionately about the expanded use of opioids in Iowa. He addressed the Jones County Supervisors during their Jan. 29 board meeting, wanting to make them aware of the epidemic and prevention measures.

     “I’m grateful that you opened your door to what’s going on in the area,” McGullam said to the board.

     He said the use and abuse of opioids, prescription drugs, heroine and fentanyl are quickly becoming a public health emergency.

     “The whole nation is seeing this issue,” he said.

     McGullam, who is originally from New Jersey, serves as a member of AmeriCorps. He was assigned to the State of Iowa to specifically look into and address the opioid epidemic.

     “I want to focus more on the rural areas,” said McGullam. “There is not a lot of treatment available in those areas.”

     McGullam, himself, is a recovering heroine addict. That’s why this topic hits so close to home. He overdosed five different times.

     “That’s why I’m doing the work,” he said. “I'm clean and sober.”

     He said his addiction snuck up fast on him, and at the time, there really weren’t any prevention measures in place like there are now.

     “Hospital admissions have gone through the roof in Cedar Rapids,” he said of the opioid epidemic.

     McGullam said opioids are heavily found and used on the East and West Coasts, and it’s only a matter of time before the situation becomes dire in the Midwest.

     “The epidemic is coming,” warned McGullam. “That’s why prevention efforts are so important to me.”

     McGullam shared that there are a lot of negative stigmas attached to the abuse of drugs. He wants to help educate the public on the accessibility or these substances, and the life-saving methods that can be used to help those suffering from addiction.

     “People are being saved by these life-saving measures,” he said. “They’ve shown a 20 percent decrease in fatalities. These are our loved ones.”

     McGullam said with some education on the signs of an overdose, more lives could be saved.

     Having saved the lives of his own friends involved in an overdose, McGullam said those sad memories are forever burned into his mind. “It’s not pleasant,” he said from first-hand experience.

     Right now, McGullam is conducting trainings in Linn County and hopes to mimic those same opportunities in Jones County.

     “I hope to inform you and educate you on the epidemic,” he said.

     He said working for ASAC in Anamosa reminds him of his own hometown in New Jersey. “And we never thought we’d see something like this (drug use) in my town,” he warned. “Twelve people were dying each day from it. No one saw it coming, and we all wish we had prevention efforts in place.”

     McGullam also started an opioid steering committee in connection with the Cedar Rapids Police Department. The committee also includes members from other community agencies as well, all walks of life.

     “Five percent of those like myself make it out,” he said of surviving opioid addiction. “I’m blessed.”

     Jennifer Husmann with the Jones County Safe and Health Youth Coalition works alongside ASAC. She said they are looking for places in Jones County to hold the trainings. McGullam said he’s already conducted trainings at the Anamosa library and Lawrence Community Center. “We need to target places where youth hang out,” he said.