NORFOLK, Va. (WAVY) — Governor Ralph Northam stopped by Eastern Virginia Medical School on Wednesday to speak with students and medical professionals about the opioid epidemic.
It’s part of a four-school stop across the state.
“We’ve got a real crisis across the commonwealth with addiction. We’ve lost 1,227 Virginians last year to opioid overdose. It’s a problem that doesn’t discriminate,” Northam said.
Northam, who attended EVMS and was a practicing doctor for many years, discussed ways on how to effectively battle opioids.
That includes state policies such as prescription regulation and actions like drug take back programs.
Northam also stressed the importance of using other types of pain management such as ibuprofen.
Jennifer Cavin, who is a resident physician specializing in family medicine, says she enjoyed the discussion.
“We should consider these alternatives, acupuncture, yoga. There are other ways to treat pain besides opiates in ways that have less side effects and less detrimental to people’s lives,” she said.
Northam also brought a man who was addicted to opioids on stage to share his story with medical professionals.
25-year-old Ryan Hall became addicted to painkillers at 17 years old after he was injured playing football.
Hall says prescriptions given by doctors turned into heroin use and eventually criminal problems.
“What motivates me is I really want to talk to the youth and give back to the youth so people don’t make the same mistakes I made,” Hall said.
He believes that stopping the addiction starts in the doctor’s office.
“We need to get informed on what we prescribe, how we prescribe, and do our research,” Hall said.
Hall, who has been a year sober of both alcohol and drugs, is now engaged and got baptized last week.
He wants those who are still struggling to know that people are out there who are willing to help.
“Keep the faith, reach out, and find the help you need. It’s out there,” he said.
Northam says that addicts who get help have about a 60 percent success rate of getting out of their addiction.
He will also visit students at VCU and Liberty University.
