A number of groups in the state have come together to form The Rx Abuse Leadership Initiative, or RALI, of Washington to address the state’s opioid crisis. According to the National Institute on Drug Abuse (NIDA), 742 Washington residents died from drug overdoses involving opioids in 2017 – more than half from drugs like heroin and synthetic fentanyl.
RALI Washington brings together local, state and national organizations including community leaders, healthcare stakeholders and business representatives, to identify best practices and solutions that will help address misuse and addiction so that fewer lives are lost.
Washington-based partners that have joined the effort include IUOE Local 302 Washington, Alaska and Idaho, Radio KDNA 91.9 FM Yakima, National Alliance on Mental Illness (NAMI) Washington, and the Urban League of Metropolitan Seattle.
The organization’s kick-off event was recently held at the Urban League of Metropolitan Seattle.
“For too long, we’ve viewed the opioid epidemic through a narrow lens, with a one-dimensional approach that has proven unsuccessful,” said Michelle Merriweather, President and CEO of the Urban League of Metropolitan Seattle. “The RALI program aims to bring together the voices and experts in the community to find a comprehensive solution to treatment, prevention and recovery.”
According to the National Institute on Drug Abuse, many addictions to illicit opioids like heroin, begin with the misuse of prescription painkillers. In fact, more than 80 percent of heroin users reported first misusing prescription medications. One key addiction prevention strategy is carefully controlling access to prescription medications in homes.
Two of RALI Washington’s initial focus areas are related to this prevention strategy. The organization will educate state residents about the warning signs of opioid misuse and the importance of safe disposal of unused prescription medications. Early intervention when someone is misusing drugs can help prevent addiction. And through safe disposal of unused medications, we can reduce the chance someone else – especially children and teenagers who are more likely to develop addictions – will take them.
Currently RALI Washington is hosting the RALI CARES (Community Awareness. Readiness. Engagement. Service) educational tour in the state – which will stop at the state Capitol in Olympia this Thursday. The tour is an interactive experience for families and concerned adults to tour a sample teenage bedroom and be educated on the warning signs that children or teenagers may be using drugs. The exhibit was designed by former law enforcement personnel based on their experience in their communities, especially with families that have lost a child to overdose.
For more information on RALI Washington, safe drug drug disposal and helping prevent misuse, visit raliwa.org.
