DEERFIELD BEACH, Fla.,
August 19, 2018 /PRNewswire-PRWeb/ --
Sherief Moustafa, Chief Executive
Officer of the Florida House Experience, commends the first
responders called to the New Haven Green in historic New Haven, Connecticut. The event is likely
the largest mass overdose in state history with more than 70
victims in a 24-hour period, several of those suffering from
life-threatening conditions. "When firefighters, EMTs, police
officers, hospital and emergency management staff face the deadly
effects of fentanyl on the citizens they aim to protect, they are
personally impacted. At times, firefighters and other first
responders experience 'compassionate care fatigue' and are rotated
in and out of service," says Moustafa, whose neuroscience program
has a dedicated track for first responders as they battle addiction
and behavioral health issues linked to their profession. According
to Moustafa, an RN with 30 years of experience in mental health and
substance abuse treatment, "The battle isn't only professional, our
men and women called to serve on the front lines of this epidemic
absorb the complexity of the crisis-driven incidents they respond
to."
The focus of the crisis this week is K2 or synthetic marijuana.
However, the chemical lacing the illicit drug has become well-known
during the opioid epidemic, Fentanyl. Synthetic marijuana is so
dangerous in part because of unverified chemicals used during the
illicit production. Users often do not know what chemicals or
quantity they are ingesting, and the chemists manufacturing the
product do not care. When laced with the powerful and deadly
synthetic opioid Fentanyl, disaster is imminent. Moustafa, despite
holding advanced addiction credentials and experience managing a
200-bed substance abuse and mental health facility, stated he has
never seen as much potential for tragedy as we have all witnessed
today. The expertise and dedication of the first responders have,
so far, prevented any fatalities from this incident, but the impact
on the victims and healthcare workers will remain. This pandemic
must be treated, otherwise, today is just a small glimpse of what
tomorrow and every day might look like
"We grieve for the citizens who were affected medically, yet we
also concern ourselves with those wearing badges, uniforms, and
stethoscopes." The CEO says. "PTSD is a very real diagnosis in the
first responder community, particularly when there are mass
casualties and injuries."
For more information:
The Florida House Experience is a nationally recognized, dually
accredited behavioral health treatment facility that offers the
highest quality of care to individuals struggling with addictions
and behavioral health issues of all kinds. Our confidential
counselors are available 24/7 at 866-750-6913
SOURCE The Florida House Experience