LAS VEGAS (KTNV) — The opioid epidemic continues to stress Southern Nevada's recovery community as Addiction Treatment Week highlights potential pitfalls in a addict's ability to seek help.
Opiate overdoses claimed 412 lives in 2017 according to the most recent data from the Centers for Disease Control.
Angela Quinn, CEO of First Med Health and Wellness, said the valley's addiction healthcare system is lacking long-term recovery services that allow patients to live on site while receiving treatment.
"Our system is being overwhelmed with people that need care versus the services available," Quinn said. "What we don't have, but need the most, is residential treatment. Some form of treatment where folks can get at least 30 days."
Quinn said most of the patients receiving care from First Med suffer from mental health issues and the addiction stems from self medicating.
"It's a chemical imbalance, and you have to get the imbalance right in order to get over the addiction," she said.
Compounding issues, Nevada's mental healthcare system was found lacking in a Mental Health America report.
The report ranked Nevada's mental healthcare system 51st, including Washington D.C., saying there was one mental healthcare provider for every 580 people in the state.
