ASSIGNED BY GOD

VOLUNTEER SPOTLIGHT

ASSIGNED BY GOD

Volunteer board member’s ministry aims to equip clients for a ‘better life’

Rev. Dr. Bernice Belt

The Rev. Dr. Bernice Belt has served area churches and community organizations much of her adult life, but her last five years as a Lifeline board member have provided a unique opportunity for her personal call to ministry. “Our mission at Lifeline helps me fulfill multiple assignments on my life by God – to glorify Him, edify His creations directly or indirectly, and encourage others to do the same, including clients who successfully complete their journey at Lifeline,” she said. “I boast about our clients’ accomplishments as a way to motivate giving and community support.” Bernice, one of 11 community board members, is part of the larger group of about 75 volunteers serving Lifeline. Executive director Ashley Miller said volunteers keep Lifeline going and growing. “This is a team effort,” she said. “Not one person can do it alone.” In particular, the community board plays a vital role, Ashley said. “When you have a strong, engaged board, you are better equipped to achieve success. They bring stability and teamwork to the table. The board is like the steering wheel of the ministry, leading and guiding us every step of the way.” Bernice became familiar with Lifeline through her involvement several years ago with the Paducah Area Chamber of Commerce. “It’s remarkable how life works,” she said. “Soon I was serving these men and women who count on us to lead, guide and strengthen them to a better life.” Bernice has been particularly proud of Lifeline’s improvements in recent years – interior improvements to meet standards and codes; new buildings to provide more living space and improve morale; and additional personnel to improve workflow and allow the executive director to focus more on her responsibilities and future goals for the organization.

The growing community awareness of Lifeline’s work brings great pride, she said. “It gathers the community into a warm place in their hearts as they learn all about us.” Ashley said Bernice’s passion to help people struggling with addiction guides her service. “She is one that keeps the clients at the forefront,” she said. Bernice said she hopes her passion is contagious. “I pray all who have a heart for giving will help us in building, or rebuilding, these precious human beings who simply need both hope and help, until they can stand firm and confidently on their own feet. Real ministry builds up people who become equipped to add to the community in positive ways.”

“I pray all who have a heart for giving will help us in building, or rebuilding, these precious human beings who simply need both hope and help, until they can stand firm and confidently on their own feet.”

REV. DR. BERNICE BELT

Lifeline Volunteer

OUR ROLES IN OPIOID CRISIS

Good intentions, poor oversight and deception create tragic combination

MEDICAL SPOTLIGHT

Everyone knows about the opioid epidemic, but do you realize the role prescription, or legal, drugs play in this dilemma? Misuse, abuse and diversion of prescription drugs are significant contributors, especially when users turn to other means after their prescriptions run out. If they suffer withdrawal symptoms, they may look for other relief, including heroin. In fact, 80 percent of heroin users started with a prescription drug. Here are a few other disturbing facts: • The U.S. has 5 percent of the world population, but consumes 80 percent of all opioid medication. • The U.S. consumes nearly 100 percent of the world’s total hydrocodone (LorTab) and 80 percent of oxycodone (Oxycontin). • The number of prescriptions written by practitioners in the U.S. reached a peak of 282 million in 2014, but still stood at approximately 150 million in 2020. • Drug overdose is the leading cause of accidental death in the U.S., surpassing auto accidents and falls, with overdose from prescription drugs accounting for almost 70 percent of all drug overdoses. Many have played a role in this crisis. Inadequate research and aggressive marketing by pharmaceutical companies opened the door many years ago. Our Food and Drug Administration approved powerful and addictive drugs for longterm use based on evidence of short-term efficacy and safety. Physicians and practitioners wanted to relieve pain and suffering, but prescribing addictive medication was not the answer. Our society’s mindset of instant reward contributed to the desire of immediate relief of all pain. This, of course, is not achievable. In short, our opioid crisis is a result of a tragic combination of good intentions, deception and reckless oversight. Thankfully, we have made progress. Physicians and practitioners have changed prescribing habits and recommended alternative therapies to relieve pain. Pharmaceutical companies have admitted their wrongdoing, and, in some cases, pleaded guilty to criminal charges for misleading marketing of these drugs as safe. Prescription drug monitoring programs, like KASPER (Kentucky All Schedule Prescription Electronic Reporting), now identify patients vulnerable to prescription drug abuse and diversion. Consumers are better educated about the potential for addiction to prescription opioids and more receptive to alternative treatments, such as injections, nerve blocks, topical medication, anti-inflammatory medication, physical therapy, meditation and spiritual enhancement.

JOHN W. BRAZZELL, M.D. Volunteer Medical Consultant at Lifeline Medical director at Kentucky Care, Paducah

What else can you do? • Be more proactive in your care. • Be honest about a personal or family history of addiction. • Be specific and persistent about medications you want to avoid. • Be accountable, and ask a friend or family member to check on you frequently. We all must communicate and work together to solve this national epidemic.