An epidemic is a widespread, infectious disease that takes hold of a community in a short time. By this definition, opioid addiction can only be called an epidemic. In the twenty years since the U.S. began collecting data in 1999, 930,000 people have died due to overdose. The first major player in the opioid crisis…
SAN DIEGO (KUSI) – The U.S. is projected to top a million drug overdose deaths since they began collecting data over 20 years ago. That is about 930,000 deaths since 1999 and drugs like fentanyl are only contributing to this ongoing problem. Scott Silverman, Your Crisis Coach, joined KUSI’s Hunter Sowards on “Good Evening San…
SAN DIEGO (KUSI) – Fentanyl is a synthetic opioid that is 50 times stronger than heroin and 100 times stronger than morphine. With fentanyl deaths on the rise in the United States and San Diego County, Scott H. Silverman, joined KUSI’s Elizabeth Alvarez on “Good Morning San Diego” to discuss the dangers of the drug.…
In May 2018, the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA) released a report concerning mental health problems and substance use disorder in first responders. The report showed that first responders are at a much higher risk than most of the population to suffer from mental health issues—including substance use disorder (SUD). Take a…
San Diego is home to a large amount of the country’s veteran population. Scott recently joined KUSI’s Elizabeth Alvarez on Good Morning San Diego to discuss how his organization helps veterans and what can be done to get more San Diego veterans the help they could use. Scott stressed that for veterans, asking for help…
Scott appeared on KOGO, “San Diego’s Breaking News Station” (FM 95.7, AM 600) to discuss the opioid epidemic, and the influence fentanyl has played in it. As he usually does, Scott discussed the 240 people who overdose fatally every day in the United States. And as always, he reminds that there is hope and help…
Scott H Silverman’s Happy Hour recently featured an episode with Summer Stephan, San Diego County’s District Attorney. Summer Stephan has devoted her life to protecting children and families, providing justice to the most vulnerable, and is a national leader in the fight against human trafficking and sexual exploitation. Summer is focused on advancing public safety…
Scott H. Silverman joined KUSI’s Elizabeth Alvarez on Good Morning San Diego to discuss a disturbing episode that nearly killed a San Diego Police Officer. The San Diego County Sheriff’s Department has released body camera footage of a deputy who accidentally overdosed when exposed to fentanyl. In July, Deputy David Faiivae was a trainee at the…
Four Good Days, starring Mila Kunis and Glenn Close, tells the heartbreaking story of an addict trying to get clean for the fifteenth time. The addict, Molly, goes to her mother, Deb, and Deb is unsure of how to help her daughter. She worries about enabling her. She makes a few decisions while trying to…
Last year amid the pandemic, opioid-related deaths rose to a record 93,000. This historic increase was the result of the ‘perfect storm’ of: Deadly fentanyl Overprescribing of opiates Isolated opioid-abusers who couldn’t get help. Fentanyl’s Deadly Influence Fentanyl, Silverman warned, is becoming increasingly common as it is cheap, highly potent, and more readily available. Many…