NOS Dose Opioid Crisis Unplugged is a podcast

Bianca McCall: CASAT Podcast Network. Welcome to the NOCE Dose Opioid Crisis Unplugged. The NOCE Dose Opioid Crisis Unplugged is a concise and insightful podcast offering a deeper dive into the realities faced by professionals combating the opioid epidemic. Join us as we reconnect with expert panelists from our listening sessions, providing a behind the scenes look at their work and insights into the pressing issues of prevention and diversion, harm reduction, opioid use, treatment, recovery and reoccurrence prevention, and welcome to the NOCE Dose, brought to you by the Nevada Opioid Center of Excellence at www.nvopioidcoe.org.  I am your host with the NOCE, Bianca D. McCall, going behind the front lines with paraprofessionals and community members alike who support the opioid response programming in Nevada State. And we're gathered here today to debrief after the latest NOCE sponsored listening session with today's special guest, Darcy Patterson. And Darcy, I gotta tell you, moments before the listening session, we learned that a personal matter of emergency prevented you from joining the panel. And I don't know if you've ever been to an event or a concert where the crowd begins to roar and demand the headliner, but we certainly had four amazing people and professionals headlining the listening session of harm reduction. And one of which is you, Darcy Patterson. And I felt the zoom roar and rumble. Right. I believe someone may have even dropped in the note, in the chat saying, we want Darcy. We want Darcy. Right. And so, as promised, we are bringing the people what and who they want. A conversation with Darcy Patterson. Darcy, welcome to the NOCE Dose. How are you really doing today?

Darcy Patterson: I'm doing wonderful on this Monday and thank you for having me, and sad that I missed the whole listening session, but here I am, everybody.

Bianca McCall: Here you are.


Darcy has a son who has substance use disorder

Well, Darcy, will you, will you, feel comfortable talking a little bit and telling us what's been going on in your life recently, that you expected or perhaps didn't expect? And what have you learned about life recently?

Darcy Patterson: Oh, so many things. you know, not only in advocacy, but many other things that I'm doing. you know, I thought I had a real grip on what this whole substance abuse misuse disorder looked like. And then I got a curveball. I have a son who has some mental health issues, which I knew of. but also now it's gone to some substance use and we've had some challenges. And, part of my story is that's what I did with my daughter back many years ago. and so, you know, I learned as much as I possibly could, and now I'm back on that learning path, learning about the substance that he's using and how I can support him. And it sure is different. It's good because I feel like I have a little bit more understanding. but it's different because he's a different child. And, But I really am thankful that I have the skills and I have, you know, the background and the knowledge to be there for him and not have to do everything for him and like I did at the beginning with my daughter, and also to be able to, you know, have some understanding of where he is and how he feels and let him come to me when he needs me, and that's what I'm there for. So it's been a. It's been a ride, and it's going to continue, but, we all know it's a struggle for recovery, and, But it's there and it's great, and it's available to everyone. So. Yeah, that's what's been happening in my life.

Bianca McCall: Yeah. No. So, gosh.


Nevada Opioid center hosts listening session on substance use recovery

first, I want to let you know, that all of us at the NOCE Dose, all of us, with the Nevada Opioid Center of Excellence as a whole, who sponsored the listening session, we are all, in support of you in your journey as it continues with your entire family, with your entire community. Right. And you mentioned this, you alluded to this, that it is a journey, it is a process. It isn't something that is a cure and stop. Right. that there's many different layers and aspects, to what we call, the spectrum of recovery. Right. In all the ways that that, risky substance use, touches, families and communities and outward. Right.


Rosie Yamaoka's daughter died of substance use disorder in 2017

Rosie, would you mind sharing a little bit more about your story? When, you talk about, your, experiences with your daughter, some of us may not know, your story. And the ones that do, believe it to be so powerful and so meaningful, in from a professional standpoint. Right. Such a meaningful perspective, for those of us that are, working in the space.

Darcy Patterson: Yes. Ah, definitely. And, you know, sometimes lived experience is not the greatest experience that you want. Just take my word for that. But I do have a story that can help others and can touch people, mostly. Like we said before that we got on there that, you know, some people need it. They're out there. They just don't know who, you know, who to reach to. And we really want them to be able to have that, you know, to fall back on somebody. Oh, yeah. They said the same thing as my story, so it's really powerful for me too. so my daughter, Kirsten Yamaoka, she had struggle with not only mental health, but substance use disorder. Kind, of back before anybody was really talking about it and helping. it took. I had a very hard time finding any resources back then, for her. but I was diligent, and I fought, fought, fought as much as I could then. But she, eventually, in high school, that's when it all started. But she eventually ended up dropping out of high school and then going to alternative high schools, which never worked for her. It's really difficult when you have mental health problems on top of substance abuse, to remain in school. I don't know how people expect them to do that and to remain having a Jope and to remain keeping their self together and being a teenager where their life is turned upside down. Anyhow. So, she dropped out. she continued to use, started with Percocet, which were not hers. The Percocet were, just, prescribed to somebody else. And she was taking them and then smoking them. and then, when that became obviously too expensive to buy because they were going for 50 to 60 dollars a pill at that time. she went to heroin, and became, over time, in and out of jail, in and out of rehab, in and out of attempts of suicide, in and out of counseling, you know, all of those things. She became severely addicted to heroin and was shooting heroin. and, struggled for quite a while, and, she eventually succumbed to her disease. And, she died March 1, 2017. she was 21, and it was her birthday that day. so her death and her birth are on the same day, which is kind of ironic. she was found in Idlewild park in her car. she was all by herself. She was in the back seat. I, believe someone left her there, and were afraid, you know, to report. And back then, also, we weren't. You know, the Narcan business was just not out there. The information was not out there. And, you know, had it been now, it may have been different. you know, may. Maybe one of friends may have thought, or whoever may have thought it would be a good idea to, you know, to sit by and call 911 and save her maybe. But it. It didn't work out that way. So she's been gone. She's. And I. I don't like to say I lost her. She Died. She's dead. She's never coming back, which I'm having to go to grips with every single day. so after she did die, I went on, a journey, a big journey about, let's see what I can do to make changes so no one feels like I feel, or her dad or her brother, and provide opportunities and support for those who've lost, the. Their family member has overdosed or died because of, you know, maybe a car accident, because of drugs, alcohol, it really didn't matter. So I was there to support them, at each step as much as I could. But I went right out and started advocacy. I went to Washington, D.C. that year for a fedup rally. I started Lights of Hope. I had previously, to her the year before in 2016. I was very fortunate to find recovery myself, and I was thankful to be present for her, before she died. And, she also had been in recovery for about six months. So it was a wonderful year prior to her dying. And we had each other. We were present for each other, and it was really wonderful. And so that was a blessing. so she is the impetus for why I do what I do with Wake up, Nevada. I never thought I'd be where I am, and I never thought I'd be doing what I'm doing, but I know it's the right thing. And I know saving lives is where. Where I'm supposed to be. And, I know that if some. If someone doesn't have a voice, I give them the voice. I want to give their voice. I want to talk about it. I want our. Be educated. and, I don't want it to be under the rock anymore because people are dying. 360 Overdose deaths in Washoe county last year alone. That's a lot. That's almost one a day. So I, you know, I'm. I'm very blessed to do what I do, on top of the other things, you know, that I'm juggling, but really foremost and in front is, fighting for others, so they can get recovery.

Bianca McCall: Sure, sure. Ah, it is a powerful story. Thank you so much, for taking us at the start of your journey, really.


Al Anon: What advice would you give to parents experiencing substance use disorder

And for me, as you're sharing your story, I'm thinking about the impact that it has on, My first thought was, were other parents? Right? And wondering, you know, what advice you would give to other parents and other families who, not only, you know, I think, the first kind of address of that question was what advice Would you give to other parents and families who've experienced a, ah, loss or a death, right. A drug overdose death, and they want to be involved. They want to, amid their grief, right. They want to transfer that into activism, into advocacy. Right. but when you're telling your story, that address changed a bit, you know, And I thought, what would you say to parents and families who are experiencing, someone that is, that is alive, that is, that is, that has a substance use disorder, right? Because the grief process, from, what I imagine, from what I've heard from you, the grief process starts. It starts early, right? Like you're talking about, as you're, you're seeing your child go through this, right? And there's so many emotions and there's so many questions, right, that parents ask themselves. You know, am I doing the right things? Am I saying the right things? I'm sure all of the elements of grief, right? The shame, the guilt, the anger, the depression, you know, you're experiencing all of those things. The journey starts well before, like you mentioned, a death date, which is also a birth date, right? And the irony in that. And so, so I'm going to, I'm going to shift that question a little bit. I'm going to, I'm going to change addresses here and say, what, what would you say to the parents and the families that are experiencing, this in life, right? And the grief process now with, with their child, with their family member, experiencing substance use disorder?

Darcy Patterson: It's a really good question because it makes it really present. And you are correct about that. You are continuously grieving your child while they are in use, even prior to their death. And also on top of that, it's a trauma. It's a trauma almost every day before they die and then after, of course. But I would definitely tell families and friends that are involved with someone who has a substance use disorder or is kind of dabbling. Find out, educate yourself about what they're using. immerse yourself into that culture so you understand from their perspective. because it's really important to know where they're coming from. And no, they're not doing this to you. They're not doing it to you because they're mad. They're behaving in this manner because of mental health issues and, or substance use issues. The disease constantly tells you daily that if you do not use the substance, you will die. that is the record in your brain over and over and over. So when you may see it as well. He's just trying to get money from me so he can use drugs. Well, yes, because it's a survival act. It's definitely something they're trying to survive through, and that's the only way they know. And really, if you look at it that way, nothing else matters to them as much as you love them, as much as they love you. Nothing in the world matters more than that, disease and the addiction and getting what they need for that. And it sounds really selfish, but it is, because the disease is selfish and what it tells you. And, so I would say, like I said, it's find out everything you can find out about their substance use. find out what, you know, what kind of culture they're in when this is happening. Maybe you, maybe you don't want to ask them because they're not going to want to tell you. You know, that's really tough for them. They're embarrassed. They know their stigma. So, you know, a lot of times what I did, what, what I really learned to do and a lot from Al Anon, because I am a proponent of them. They're wonderful. In fact, I'm going speak tonight at my old Al Anon group, which is wonderful.

Bianca McCall: Yeah.

Darcy Patterson: So I'm so excited. But, so, you know, allow them to be them, but be there anytime they want to do something that's, you know, headed towards the recovery avenue. I would say, just from my own opinion, you do what you will not regret. Regret. So you can do this much or you can do this much, whatever that looks like to you. But in the end, you don't want to say to yourself, I wish I had, I wish I hadn't, because do what you can live with. So you have no regrets for your child or for your loved one or, reach out to any support you possibly can get. Al Anon, there's many, many support areas, but that was the one that saved me. other family members, the addict's mom, which is on Facebook. They're, worldwide, and they have a lot of supports for that situation. but start to understand the disease and start to understand how your child is handling that. When we think, oh, they should just stop and go get a Jope and, you know, go back to school, well, it's not that easy. And, I got frustrated. Don't get me wrong, I've been frustrated, but I have a better way to handle it and, handle it with love. And I always say, you don't have to love the disease, but Your child is not the disease. You love your child no matter what. I love you no matter what. And that's one thing that I learned and one thing that I always, would tell people and that I am not the cause of it. I cannot control it and I cannot change it, but I can be supportive and loving. Yeah.

Bianca McCall: Yeah. Gosh, so many things. Do what you can live with. That, that really stood out to me. Darcy, do what you can live with.


When love hurts, what would you say to parents when it's difficult

and then this notion of love and when love hurts, right, because this is a painful experience for all involved. Right. And so when love hurts, what would you say to the parents and families that are feeling frustrated, that are feeling, like, do I let this go? Do I separate? You know, at what point when they're, they're at that decision point of do I, when do I become selfish? Right. When do I put on my own oxygen mask?

Darcy Patterson: Right.

Bianca McCall: and that's got to be the toughest, the toughest decision for any parent. Right. And when you arrived at, at a, at a similar, decision point, what was that like for you? And is that where supports like Al Anon and other groups, are really, the most helpful and meaningful?

Darcy Patterson: Yes. I think prior to that as well, because you can see other people in their journey and you can see how they have handled things. Now every situation is going to be a little bit different and like I said, do what you can live with. but you have to have a backing to be able to go back to when you've put your foot down and said, this is my line, I can't cross this line. And one of those for me was, Kirsten's brother is. We, he was living at home and she was living at home. And it finally got to the point where I could not, you know, sacrifice basically his well being for her use. So I, that was a tough one. I had to, I had to have her move out. You know, they say tough love, but there's a little bit different meaning in that. And tough love is just do like keeping your own self. Okay, Keeping your, maybe your selfish part, but that's self care. You need to be, you need to be whole or almost whole to be able to handle and to be able to live that life. But my, my boundary came one night and I just had to say, you need to leave here because your brother needs to grow up in a normal, quiet everyday life without all this drama and you know, and live a productive life. But, it was really volatile. He got mad. Of course she Was mad, but it was the best decision that I made for him.


Darcy: You mentioned that self care can sometimes be uncomfortable

Bianca McCall: So, Darcy, something else that you mentioned, that I think is really profound, and I hope the listeners, this resonates with them as well, is you mentioned self care, is not. Is not always comfortable. Right. The way that you described it, self care is almost, It can be tough love and setting a boundary that is very uncomfortable, very undesirable for many people involved, including yourself. but that it sounded like setting those boundaries. Right. And being uncomfortable was the best thing that you could do for yourself, for your son, for your family, and for. For your daughter as well. so I think that's just so profound because we think self care, and especially in the professional workforce, right. Self care is almost like the word Mufasa, right, From the hyenas of Ryan. It's like self care. Ooh. Like, don't say that. Right. And I don't have time for that. but I. But I think that there's also this association that self care, is supposed to make everything okay. Right? It's supposed to make you not feeling exhausted or not feeling scared, not feeling anxious. again, that cure and end, as opposed to. And in the process and the journey. so I found that to be just so important, you know, in the messaging that self care can sometimes be uncomfortable. Tough love could perhaps be a means of self care.


Wake Up Nevada integrates peer support, lived experience into its services

And something else that you said is, in joining these groups and telling the story. Right. you know, that's an entirely, distinct journey of its own, right, where there's an evolution of your story and how you tell it, how you process it, the feelings, the thoughts that. That arise as you're telling the story. And depending on who, you're telling it to, the story can change. Like I said, the feelings and thoughts behind, the story can change. And can you share a little bit about what, ah, that's been like for you? And I'd love to also, discuss the importance of your lived experience and how Wake Up, Nevada integrates, you know, the principles of peer support, lived experience, and things like that into its services. So storytelling. Share about the evolution of that.

Darcy Patterson: The evolution has been. It's night and day. You know, at the beginning, I just told about Kirsten. That's the story. that's all I said. And it was never. It was not inclusive of myself or her brother or, you know, the extended family or anything. I really just focused straight on her. And at that time, that's all I could really think about. and, over time, that's changed dramatically. probably about a year ago, I spoke at the Nevada Urban Indians event. And, it was different. My story was different then, and it included really three parts. Me and my struggles, and then our struggles with her, and then what we're doing now with Wake Up Nevada. And so it's really come, like you said, it's really adjusted itself. And I don't know that I did it intentionally, but I think it changes because you grow. And, you know, I didn't want to always stay in the negative. I didn't want to always say the negative. I wanted to give, you know, positive hope on how, you know, how we can. We can recover, how we can, you know, do things for ourselves, how it's important, like you said, to set those boundaries. And tough love only meaning for me, you know, setting a boundary. And if that boundary is something that you'll die on the hill for, stay with it. but not necessarily. Well, I'm going to cut him off from everything. You know, that's just not how it works. Because especially with today, with fentanyl being and everything, forget it. If you cut your child off, there could be a, you know, there's a really good chance they'll just die. That's it. The end. And so we're trying to, you know, the story now is, of course, curved towards let's try and save these, children, family members, whatever, so they can get recovery, so they can live productive lives, be a wonderful member of society and pay their taxes and work and all of those things that we need them to do because they're supporting the economy. And, you know, there's a whole generation that's being lost to that, at this time. So I do, of course, talk a lot more about Wake Up Nevada. And, Wake Up Nevada has, like, like you said, many, many things. Peers, peer support. I mean, peer on peer, mom on mom, mom on dad. You know, those guys, those. Those are special bonds that only if I talk to someone who's lost, they know. I don't even have to say anything, but they know. And that's important to be there. And so we provide that. my partner, vice president of a Wake Up Nevada, Kathy Carstairs, she's also lost. And so we have a voice. We have people that we meet all the time that we understand, and that's really important. We also, are in support of people who, lost a child but may have been in their own addiction. And we have lived experience with that. So it's, it's, it's really easy to say. I know, you know, I don't know exactly how you feel, but I have been there. So let me tell you, you know, let me tell you how I handle that or how you might think about it, you know, so peer support, for sure. Harm reduction, for sure. We're in there handing out Narcan, Fentanyl test strip, Xylazine test strips. And really the biggest one is providing education, the education to our community for those who know and those who have no idea what's happening with fentanyl and the opioid overdoses in our area. And if all we do is give the education, it's a plus no matter what we do, because we know the CD there. we, you know, we provide many events and go attend many events where we're available, we're open to people, you know, if they want to talk, if they want to, you know, give them, give the phone number and we'll, we'll contact them later if they want some Narcan training, if they want to, you know, get some ideas of what to, Or how to. How to go about, like we talked earlier, how to go about learning about your child's addiction or their youth or what it looks like and is this true or is that true? And, you know, standing on facts, evidence based facts that of course, we didn't, you know, put together. But, you know, we've got the CDC and NIDA and SAMHSA and everybody that's putting that information together for us. so those, Wake up, Nevada does a lot of things, but those are the basic things. But we also immerse ourselves into our community and in all ways that we can. And I think it's. I know it's been a huge opportunity for us so that we can say, look, we've been with this community and we've been putting these things out and talking about it for seven years and now it's coming to fruition. And we even have seen like, last year's Earth Day to this year's Earth Day. Completely different. Previously, last year they had no idea. No. What's Narcan? What are you doing? Oh, you're trying to enable, you know, this year, asking for it. Where's the booth? Where's the Narcan? Where's, you know, and so the evolution has been amazing. And I'm not in control of that. I know I just put myself out there and do the work. That's all. Because I know Whatever comes from doing the work, is not in my control. And I'm thankful that it's not because that's a lot of decisions to make. And I definitely. I have a higher power and I choose to call God. And I really feel like that's where I get my strings. And the fact that my daughter, she's cheering me on. I know she is. She sends me signs, so I'm so thankful of those things and that we can save. We can save. You can save. Anybody. Anybody can do it.


Nevada says prevention and harm reduction are key ways to fight substance use

It's, you know, and we don't have, you know, we don't have the stamp on it. We don't, you know, the patent or whatever. We just know what, what's working for us. And, yeah, we're blessed to have. Wake up Nevada.

Bianca McCall: Yes, we are. And. And, so many times I think we heard kind of this process of transformation from pain to purpose. Right? But very rarely do we get to hear, the story of. And transformation of silence to loud. Right. And I see in the work that you're doing, you have parents and families and people with living experiences, with. With regards to substance use disorder that, are in an isolated kind of space and very silent about their struggles. Right. And for many reasons you mentioned could, be their own, you know, addictive patterns with, with substances, with. With food, with work, you know, with. With all the things. it could be a shame and guilt, and embarrassment, that they're. That they're having these lived experiences or living experiences. And so, that journey from silent to loud, you know, is there anything else? Any other methods? not only with regards to harm reduction. Right. Because ultimately we want to reduce the number of young people who begin substance use, you know, throughout our community. so that's the ultimate goal. So. Yes. How do all those things work together? What are, other methods, creative ways that wake up Nevada that you've discovered in this journey of going from silence to loud? what are some creative ways, that all of these can work together so that we can reduce the number of young people that are beginning to. To use substances in our community?

Darcy Patterson: I have a theory, and whether it's wrong or right, it's my theory. so I really feel like it's a three pronged, you know, situation. What we. I think while I know and I believe that, early education to children, and I'm talking about elementary, starting in the elementary and moving all the way through as they move. And, the education changing, of course, per, you know, As a child grows, letting them know that it's cool to be without substances. This is the cool club. It's not that club. This is the cool club. And for those to be able to, bring that type of peer pressure to their peers instead of the negative peer pressure. And I know for sure there's many opportunities and many clubs and many non profits out there that are doing that, but I truly believe it needs to start in elementary school and continue. because once you get to a certain point, you're not adding to the pipeline of those new people who are using substances. I, mean, granted, we're not going to get everybody, we're not going to touch everybody, but if you think you're cool because you're not using, you're right. And your parents are going to say you're right and your friends are going to say, we support you. Let's all, you know, let's all have this packed and this. So that's what I'm a proponent of. so that's one of them. And we are blessed to be able to possibly be able to go into the schools. Not yet. So it's a really early work in progress, which we're going to have to join with many, you know, other type of nonprofits and, you know, people who are doing things, movers and shakers. so there, that's one thing. Don't feed the pipeline anymore. Keep stop feeding the pipeline. But of course, the people that are already in the pipeline, we need to do prevention and harm reduction so they don't overdo. We need to provide those supplies we need to use mat we need to, you know, provide peer recovery support. We need to do all of those things that we know are evidence based to be able to help people where they're at, whatever that looks like. You know, I used to think, because I was an AA girl, I used to think it was only abstinence. And now I know there are other pathways and I understand that now and I have some empathy and some sympathy for those who are in the situation where abstinence is not going to happen. so I'm learning. I really have come a long way with that. and nothing against aa. I'm thrilled. Everybody that needs AA gets aa and everybody who doesn't need it can get something else, whatever it is. so prevention, harm reduction in any of those ways, education, people who are already in it, help, help them with, you know, just the small things, maybe getting an id, you know, just moving up the ladder. So that you can start to see that you're an okay person. It's not about you being a horrible person. It's about substance use and abuse and how we can temper that or how we can discontinue that and like I said before, become productive members of the society. And then the other one is eventually treatment, any type of treatment like we talked about. But there has to be long term treatment. You put someone in a 30 day treatment, it is not going to work because you are just coming out of the haze in 30 days. So you need a little more time, you need some other skills and like everybody, you know, like the, like the word is, you know, wrap around services. Well we really need to wrap around them but we need to follow them as they grow and help and assist in the ways that we can not enable, but help and assist, as we know peer support, recovery specialists can do and also professionals that are in the community and those who are not professionals that have lived experience, on the other hand, you know, maybe not peer support but maybe they have a you know, experience from the dad perspective and they can put that in there. So I really feel that if we put our heart, soul and our money, into those that that we can be successful. We can now of course it's, it's not going to happen right away and it's not going to probably happen in my lifetime. That's okay because my kids will have kids and we need to be able to allow for them to have a safe, drug free, substance free life that is enjoyable so they don't have to go the old route. When you get to treatment and you have to come back and you know, change things in your life and deal with your trauma. Let's start it before it happens.

Bianca McCall: Yeah, yeah, no, some a huge I think centerpiece of the work that we do in harm reduction. You know, as we hear that the opposite of addiction, right. And the opposite of the risky substance use is not abstinence but rather it's connection.


Wes: How can people connect with Wake Up Nevada's community

I agree Described Darcy is a reintegration and a reconnection with ah, community. Right. And ultimately when someone is isolated in their substance use disorder, there's often descriptions of burned bridges and really just a lack of sense of community, not feeling like there's a belonging anywhere. And so it's how do we heal that as a community, right? How do we create space for people to come back, right? To come back to community, to come back to connect. and also you're getting Into, I mean, this is like prevention of aces, space, right? When we're talking about connecting education, getting into the school systems and educating, informing, empowering young people, to also co, create these safe community spaces, to also empower belonging, to be that safety net at every single stage of recovery. Because we can't just say, you know, 30 days and you're in and out. Right? again, there's no cure and stop that. This is a lifelong journey. It becomes a lifelong journey to be, able to identify how and where we fit in this world, you know, and that's a, that's a journey for all of us. Right? We're all really wanting to be seen, to be heard, to be understood and to belong. and so that normalizing that part, of the journey I also think is just so important. Thank you, thank you so much for sharing that. Darcy. I could sit and talk to you all day. and I, I thank you so much for your time today. I'd love for you to be able to give our listeners an idea of just, how can they connect with you? Right? Since we're talking about connection, we're talking about community. How do we connect with Wake Up Nevada's community? How do we connect with you, and have that sense of belonging, and shared living experiences. How can professionals and other, others in harm reduction, connect with you and call you?

Darcy Patterson: Yeah, so there's several ways. We have a website, it's wakeupnv.org that website is kind of in work, but we have some really good, videos on there and some information. We eventually will have all our events and update those, once, once, once I figure out how to do that technical stuff. So I'm gonna be in school for that soon. So, so we, we have that, that is a really good way to reach. I am always answering my emails. So it's R&darcy-r c yahoo.com Anytime I, I answer them and I, you know, I'm there for you. the other way is my phone. You can call me on my phone. It's, it's, it's open. I put it out there in the world. So at 775-74-16486, contact me, if I can help. Great. And if not, I may know someone who can help or I can just listen and that I, I feel like I can do that well, because I understand. so, and then if you want to get involved, reach out on any of those, you know, sites We've got some new people that are brand new or long term in recovery that are helping and it's amazing. We need folks to fill the Narcan boxes throughout our city. We didn't even talk about that. We need volunteers desperately for that. It's, it's a big undertaking. and you know there's give education, go into the schools, tell your story, make a video, a short video of your story so we can throw it on our website. People like stories. They want to know that they're regular people that are getting recovery and there's regular people that are out there using. we just partnered with City of Sparks, with the deputy attorney. Attorney.

Bianca McCall: Yeah.

Darcy Patterson: Ah, Wes. And we made some, we made a video, it's on YouTube now, which is really exciting and it's all about Fentanyl. but it has live stories on there and experience and that type of thing. But also we're going to have some short little PSAs that are made out of that. And so there's a lot of ways you can see us and be with us and connect. And I love people when they come up to the, you know, a community event we're at and say, hey, you know, how do I get involved? How do I, you know, what can I do above and all of that? We are a, grassroots, mom and pop deal. Well, mom and mom kind of deal. But and we have funded ourselves. That's what we've done this whole time. And we want to be able to not have to do that all the time. So donations gladly accepted. I work a full time Jope and a per diem Jope and Kathy works and. But we wouldn't do it any different. Of course I'm going to still continue what I'm doing, but it would be easier to take some time off of those full time things that we do to devote to Wake Up Nevada. Because it needs it, it needs full time devotion and that's our primary goal. And also, you know, that's we're trying to reach for that. So yeah, any donation help helps. And we show you exactly what we've put your money to. I take pictures, here's what we bought, here's what we did and you can see what you're doing in your community. That's a small part to play, but it's a big part to us. So yes. So get a hold of us. We're there.

Bianca McCall: Darcy, you've got the information. Darcy, thank you again for joining us on the, on the NOCE Dose M. Any.


Any lasting thoughts or messages that you'd like to share with our listeners

Any lasting thoughts or messages that you'd like to share with our listeners?

Darcy Patterson: Listeners, A couple things. Recovery is possible. sometimes it takes them several times to get it, like me, and that our community is under siege from fentanyl and the opioids and now, Xylazine and those type of things. So we need to get a hold of it. Don't say silent anymore. Speak your truth. Talk about your kid that's in recovery or use. It's important. People want to know that they're not alone. Like you said, connection. They need to know they're not alone. and, you know, like we talked about before, take care of yourself so that you can. They say that, you know, with the oxygen mask, put it on first yourself, and people get that. But when it comes to taking care of yourself, it's easier to be totally focused on what's going on with the person who isn't, you know, has substance use disorder. but you have to temper that. You have to take care of yourself, whatever that looks like. It's not a big, huge, I gotta do a spa day. It can be, I need to sit down for 25 minutes and I need to read by myself or I need to. Whatever it is that you like to do yoga or meditate or whatever. Whatever it is, it doesn't have to be anything formal either. So, yeah, those are the things that I would say are important.

Bianca McCall: Thank you so much. Darcy, I got to tell you, when you say. And when I hear and when I say the oxygen mask, when I'm. When I'm thinking about this in real time, in real use case, right. Being on an airplane, and I hear, put your oxygen mask on first, my first thought is, I don't want the oxygen masks to drop down. Like, oh my gosh, what if that happens? You know, And I think a lot of us, that's. That's, that's the, the fear and anxiety that. That prevents a lot of us from really understanding, you know, what that means, is we don't want to feel uncomfortable. We don't want to. To be in this position where we're having to make that decision. Right. There's a lot of fear that surrounds it. But, but gosh, your conversation today, the lasting messages that we are. We are left with, today, Darcy. It certainly makes me feel a little bit more confident and confident in, in. In dealing, you know, with. With something so, so multi. Layered, so complex. yeah, it'd be such a challenge and so painful, you know, and such tough love, but the tough side of love, right?

Darcy Patterson: Yes, absolutely.

Bianca McCall: But thank you again for joining us and we look forward to, continuing the work, in support of Wake Up Nevada, in support of you, and in support of all communities in Nevada where harm reduction, where recovery is possible. Thank you.

Darcy Patterson: Beautiful. Thank you.


NOSE provides resources to support those affected by opioid use

Bianca McCall: Thank you for listening to the NOCE Dose the Opioid Epidemic Unplugged. We hope that you found this episode compelling and informative, and we ask that you please share this episode with your friends and your colleagues. And if you want to learn more, please visit our website www.nvopioidcoe.org.  The NOCE Dose podcast is brought to you by the Nevada Opioid Center of Excellence, or NOCE. NOCE is dedicated to developing and sharing evidence, informed training, and offering technical assistance to professionals and community members alike. Now, whether you are a care provider or a concerned community member, NOCE provides resources to support those affected by opioid use. Funding for this activity was made possible in whole or in part by the Nevada Department of Health, Health and Human Services, DHHS Director's Office through the Fund for Resilient Nevada CASAT Podcast Network. This podcast has been brought to you by the CASAT Podcast Network, located within the Center for the Application of Substance Abuse Technologies, a part of the School of Public Health at the University of Nevada, Reno. For more podcast information and resources, visit casat.org.