"Matthew's Hope ...A Father's Mission"
Matthew Wedekind
1/21/91 - 5/23/15
"People think heroin addicts are just bad people...That they're losers...
Until it happens to your own son or daughter, or your spouse...
Until it happens, and now you have to struggle with it."
Larry Wedekind
Founder, Matthew's Hope Foundation
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Watch the video below to learn the story behind
Matthew's Hope Foundation. |
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We are a non-profit, registered 501 (c)(3) organization dedicated to helping those struggling with opioid addictions - as well as their family members - recover, become whole again & celebrate life.
80% of all opioid addictions start with a prescription from a doctor.
- CDC
Mass Media Campaign
Matthew's Hope Foundation is creating & funding mass media campaigns in select markets/states within the United States.
We are dedicated to saving lives through education, awareness, action, and recovery. We look forward to working with our media partners and those who care about their community and family
- as we join together to make a difference!
We are dedicated to saving lives through education, awareness, action, and recovery. We look forward to working with our media partners and those who care about their community and family
- as we join together to make a difference!
ABOUT |
GET HELP
Whether you're a user or the loved one of a user, click here to receive help.
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DONATE
Make a donation to Matthew's Hope Foundation and help us help others.
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The Opioid Situation:
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Deaths
Opioids are responsible for the majority of overdose deaths in the USA. More than 72,000 people in the US died from drug overdoses in 2017, a rate that has only increased from the previous year’s record of 63,600.[1] Put into perspective, 2017’s statistics are comparable to a packed NFL football stadium. Epidemic
2017’s opioid fatalities surpasses the AIDS epidemic, the number of Americans killed in the entire Vietnam War, and most state’s murder and car accident rates…combined.[2] Our nation is truly in peril. Victims
Common victims: Veterans struggling with pain after injuries or PTSD, teens recovering from Wisdom Teeth Removal, patients recovering from auto accidents, injuries, or recent medical surgeries. A Different Addiction
The Center for Disease Control (CDC) estimates 80 percent of all heroin addictions started with a painkiller prescribed by a physician.[12] Anyone who takes an opioid, legal or illegal, is at risk of becoming addicted. Why? Opioids work on your brain in a different manner. Opioids target your brain's neurotransmitters and trigger the release of "feel-good" endorphins like dopamine and serotonin. Over time, your brain slows the production of endorphins. At this point, someone feels they must take drugs to feel normal feelings of happiness, pleasure, fun, or normal day-to-day emotions/feelings.[13] Infants
Researchers have found that taking opioid medications for more than a few days increases your risk of long-term use, which increases your risk of addiction. The odds you'll still be on opioids a year after starting a short course increase after only five days on opioids. [13] Foster Care
The effects of this epidemic are far-reaching. People are dying. Hospitals are experiencing a surge of drug-addicted infants. In fact, the number of pregnant women with opioid use disorder at labor and delivery locations in 28 states (those with available data) more than quadrupled from 1999 to 2014.[3] Families are being separated, too. Last year, officials removed 92,000 American children from their homes due to an opioid-dependent parent.[4] Too Many Bodies
The recent surge in overdose deaths has placed an unprecedented demand upon medical examiner’s offices. Coroners are swamped with an influx of bodies combined with a demand for time-intensive autopsies and costly toxicology examinations.[5] In Davidson County, Tennessee, the ongoing influx of opioid fatalities caused a corpse storage issue requiring additional taxpayer-funded body coolers for the medical examiner’s office.[6] Whereas in South Carolina, many jurisdictions are so inundated with bodies, they are asking hospitals and funeral homes for storage since most counties do not own their own coolers.[7] Combine a lack of storage with an understaffed workforce and screening for new or unknown drugs which increase the time in closing a case, county coroners are experiencing a backlog of bodies.[8] Taxpayers
Counties grappling with rising overdose deaths face higher costs in emergency call volumes, medical examiner and coroner bills, toxicology screenings, and overcrowded jails and courtrooms.[9] Burdens from the drug crisis has led to medical examiner staff burnout, drained budgets, and threats to the accreditation of many offices because they must perform more autopsies than industry standards allow.[10] Our nation’s labor market has suffered, with $702 Billion in losses over 16 years. In 2015, nearly 1 Million people between the ages of 25-54 were not working due to opioid addiction, costing an estimated $44 Billion that year alone.[11] Labor
Our nation’s labor market has suffered, with $702 Billion in losses over 16 years. In 2015, nearly 1 Million people between the ages of 25-54 were not working due to opioid addiction, costing an estimated $44 Billion that year alone.[11] The opioid epidemic is devastating, but there is hope...and help. Matthew’s Hope Foundation is a non-profit, registered 501(c)(3) dedicated to saving lives while helping those struggling with opioid addiction, as well as their families, recover, become whole again and celebrate life. |
[1] Centers for Disease Control & Prevention (CDC)
[2] DEA 360 Strategy [3] CDC [4] US Department of Health & Human Services [5] National Association of Medical Examiners [6] WSMV-TV [7] Pew Research Center [8] Pew Research Center [9] National Association of Counties [10] National Association of Medical Examiners [11] American Action Forum Study [12] CDC [13] Mayo Clinic |
Sometimes the smallest step in the right direction ends up being the biggest step of your life. Tiptoe if you must, but take a step. |
It's better to spend a year or two of your time and money getting your child recovered than to spend the rest of your life regretting that you didn't. |
