GUEST COMMENTARY
MENTARY
As Memorial Day draws near, we pause to remember those who gave their lives in service to our nation. We gather at cemeteries, raise flags and offer solemn thanks for the freedom their sacrifice secured.
But while doing this, we must also look to the living veterans and service members who return from duty and are still fighting battles most of us never see.
Among the most urgent and under-discussed of those battles is substance use disorder, a silent epidemic affecting countless members of our military community.
Military service members and veterans face unique and profound challenges that can linger long after their tours of duty end. A harsh reality is that many veterans turn to drugs and alcohol to cope — increasing the risk of developing a substance use disorder or experiencing overdose and suicidal ideation.
Fortunately, there are helpful resources in Texas, as well as opportunities to create more dialogue about the problem while helping those struggling.
Population data shows that in 2022, over 1.4 million veterans lived in Texas. While it is challenging to know the exact number of those struggling with substance use and mental health issues in the state, there are some national and state-wide trends.
According to the 2022 National Survey on Drug Use and Health, among U.S. veterans aged 18 and older, 6.3% had a substance use disorder in the past year, and 6.6% had serious thoughts of suicide.
In Texas, there were 14.4 suicides for every 100,000 people in 2022, which has increased by 29.7% over the past 20 years. Alcohol abuse, for example, is a common underlying problem within the veteran community.
Nationally, 56% of veterans reported alcohol use in the past month. In Texas, 17.6% of adults over 18 binge drink at least once per month, and there is an average of 10,647 deaths in the state attributed to excessive alcohol use.
The state has also been experiencing a drug poisoning epidemic. The state's drug poisoning deaths increased by more than 75% in the past five years. In 2021, the rate was 15.8 deaths per 100,000 population, almost double the 2017 rate of 9.4 deaths, according to Texas Health and Human Services.
This Memorial Day, let’s commit not only to remembering the dead but to fighting for the lives of those still with us, supporting military personnel and veterans in their battle against substance use, and utilizing helpful resources.
The Veterans Crisis Line is available 24/7 by dialing 988, then pressing 1. Texvet.org offers trusted information for Texas veterans. The Texas Veterans Portal connects veterans, their families and caregivers to the benefits and services earned through their military service.
We must continue to expand access to comprehensive, trauma- informed care, particularly in rural areas where resources are scarce. Peer support groups, telehealth services and community- based recovery initiatives must be supported and funded.
The people who defend this country deserve more than parades and patriotic platitudes. They deserve our care, our advocacy, and our action.
Remember the fallen by protecting those who made it home this Memorial Day.
Jody Boulay is a mother of two with a passion for helping others. She currently works as a Community
Outreach Coordinator for DRS to help spread awareness of the dangers of drugs and alcohol.
Comment
Comments