CT Nonprofit Tapped to Lead Effort for National Opioid Reform

Over 93,000 Americans died of a drug overdose in 2020, the highest number ever recorded. In an effort to stem that staggering statistic, Connecticut nonprofit organization A Promise to Jordan was just awarded a grant by Voices for Non-Opioid Choices to educate its stakeholders and community members about potential federal policy changes to help combat the opioid crisis. In particular, A Promise to Jordan will build awareness around the Non-Opioids Prevent Addiction in the Nation Act (“NOPAIN Act”), bipartisan legislation which would ensure that safe, non-addictive therapies are available for patients who undergo an outpatient surgical procedure by addressing outdated federal reimbursement policies.

“We are eager and honored to be selected to raise awareness about opioid use disorder in Connecticut, and potential federal policy changes to combat it,” said Lisa Gray, Founder and Executive Director of A Promise to Jordan (APTJ). “It would bolster our efforts to fight opioid use disorder by reducing these prescriptions in the first place.”

Gray’s team will educate community members about the role non-opioids can play in combating the opioid use disorder crisis, raise awareness of the importance of changing federal policy to increase access to non-opioids, and build long-term partnerships to advance community-based solutions to the opioid use disorder crisis.

Gray notes many people become unintentionally addicted to opioids prescribed by their doctor for pain after dental, orthopedic or other surgery. When the prescription runs out, they may turn to synthetic opioids, especially illicitly-manufactured and -obtained fentanyl or heroin. Federal policymakers could fully incentivize the use of non-opioid pain management approaches, which would minimize the unnecessary risk of patients developing a long-term opioid use habit.

“Health professionals need to be armed with alternative pain management tools such as acupuncture, electroceuticals and injectable anesthetics,” said Gray. “Education is a huge part of our initiative.”

Currently, the use of non-narcotic pain treatments is not widespread, due to federal policy barriers. However, some healthcare providers are reducing prescriptions by using a multimodal approach including:

• Use of anti-inflammatory medications, muscle relaxants, neurotropic medications
• Use of long lasting post-surgical analgesia
• Pre-operative hydration. (Patients have less post-operative nausea if they eat and drink closer to the surgery.)
• Patient education prior to surgery to set expectations
• Referral to a Pain Management specialist if needed

“Every year, more than 3 million Americans will go on to long-term opioid use following an acute pain incident, according to the CDC,” said Gray. “In 2020, over 1,350 lives were lost to overdoses just in Connecticut. Our leaders need to pass the NOPAIN Act to address the skyrocketing rates of overdoses and save lives.”

APTJ is dedicated to raising awareness about substance abuse, eliminating the stigma of addiction, assisting people in accessing quality care, and giving hope that recovery is possible to those struggling with substance use disorders and their families. Gray created A Promise to Jordan after losing her then 24-year-old son, Jordan Arakelian, to an accidental overdose in 2018.

In addition to community educational programs, A Promise to Jordan hosts NARCAN and QPR (Question, Persuade, Refer) trainings designed to save the lives of overdose victims and those contemplating suicide.

About A Promise to Jordan
A Promise to Jordan is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit named for Jordan Arakelian who died from an accidental opioid overdose on June 30, 2018 at the age of 24. Founded by his mother, Lisa Gray, the mission of A Promise to Jordan is to raise awareness and eliminate the stigma of addiction, assist people in accessing quality care and give hope that recovery is possible to those struggling with substance use disorders. Visit apromisetojordan.org for information and resources, or call (860) 390-1391.