Opinion: Danbury Doctor Says Current Measures to Fix Heroin Epidemic Fail to Focus on Problem's True Source

The following is a letter to the editor in response to the growing heroin epidemic in our state, written by Danbury Dr. Randy Trowbridge, M.D., M.A. Trowbridge is the President of Shelton-based Fairfield County Medical Association.

Mopping Up Floors or Turning Off Faucets

“At one time, psychiatrists assessed an inpatient’s competency to return to the community by introducing them to a ‘flooded’ room, gave them a mop, and then observed whether they began swabbing the wet floor or advanced to the clogged sink and turned off the faucet (so the story goes).

• • Related: Heroin-Related Deaths Skyrocket in Connecticut

Today, faced with a real narcotic drug epidemic, with all of its tragic consequences, the measures we are taking, albeit noble and sincere, fail to bring a focus upon the true problem at hand.

The President, federal and state lawmakers and agencies, law enforcement authorities, community and social organizations, and a host of healthcare associations and societies have weighed in regarding the urgency of the situation. The Center for Disease Control has put out a 4-Step plan to stop the epidemic. Their emphasis is on physician behavior and education, expanded access to treatment, broadened availability of naloxone to acutely rescue lives, and extensive, organizational collaboration to “detect” and respond to “outbreaks” of narcotic abuse. Okay, great, commendable! Yet there is no provision for primary prevention.

Where does the problem begin? One only needs to only lift up their eyes from the ‘wet’ floor and look upward and outward. Someone who has been ‘looking up’ for decades is Robert Stutman, a retired special agent for the DEA, once placed in charge of New York City, who is now committed to drug prevention and education. After many years of experience and research he understands that cutting off the ‘supply,’ although a necessary endeavor, will never accomplish what child, family and community education has the potential to do.

The problem most often arises during the adolescent experience where too often, weak family dynamics combined with societal influence related to peer pressure and group acceptance create feelings of boredom, discontent, insignificance and worthlessness. Seeking the opportunity to gain acceptance and feel valued is fertile ground for experimenting with drugs.

Robert Stutman has made it clear that what is needed is a new strategy focused on redirecting our primary action toward child and family education. Indeed there is a need to reduce the availability of narcotics, educate professionals, rescue those who have overdosed and expand rehabilitative care, but if we are serious about our responsibility as a society, and truly value our children and families, then we must open our eyes and focus on the faucet.”

Randy Trowbridge, M.D., M.A., Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation Specialist, Pain Management Specialist, Functional Medicine Specialist President, Fairfield County Medical Association

How do you feel on the growing heroin epidemic in our state? Send your letter to the editor to wendy.mitchell@patch.com or tell us in the comments.