Shining a light on substance abuse: Curtis Barnett

Shining a light on substance abuse

In 2021, Arkansas Blue Cross and Blue Shield made a public commitment to help address our state’s behavioral health crisis, which includes mental health and substance use disorders. We recognize that too many individuals and families suffer due to these conditions and too often fall
through the cracks – undiagnosed and untreated.

Since the pandemic, there’s been a focus on the increases in depression, anxiety and other mental health conditions. Less attention has been paid to substance use disorders, although data indicates significant increases in many kinds of drug use in the United States following the start of the national public health emergency, and drug overdoses have increased.

We are in one of the most significant health crises of our time – addiction and overdose. Nearly every family in the United States has been affected. Addiction too often takes those we know and love and leads them down paths they never would have chosen otherwise.

Our work in behavioral health has involved us with some remarkable organizations in our state battling these conditions daily and providing hope to patients and families.

One such organization is the Wolfe Street Foundation in Little Rock, led by Justin Buck. Wolfe Street is a Recovery Community Organization, a new term for me. However, it’s an appropriate term, as Wolfe Street represents a community of caring and dedicated clinicians and peers who, along with families and friends affected by addiction, are committed to helping those who are suffering. They offer love, support, and acceptance to those in recovery and their families when they need it most. They teach us that people can recover and life can improve. They give hope to those affected when hope is often needed the most.

We were deeply honored that in April 2024, Arkansas Blue Cross and the Blue & You Foundation for a Healthier Arkansas were recognized by Wolfe Street with its Recovery Leadership Award for our support of the recovery community.

Speaking of hope, I encourage you to read our story about the Hope Movement Coalition and its unique and inspirational leader, Staci James. Hope Movement provides support to families who have lost loved ones to substance use disorders or fentanyl poisoning.

We must remember that people are more than their diseases. When you see someone with an addiction, don’t think of them as a drunk, a junkie or an abuser; think of them as a father or mother, brother or sister, or son or daughter. Because that’s who they are. Offer them help, kindness and compassion, because that’s what they need.

Working on substance use disorders is some of the most important and humbling work we do. The size and magnitude of the problem humbles us. Ultimately, though, the commitment of those in recovery and the people and organizations working to find solutions inspires us.