Stemming the Tide

The Opioid Epidemic

130 people die from an overdose of an opioid every day in the United States. Death from overdoses reached a staggering 47,600 people in the United States in 2017 – to put that into perspective that’s a 130 people per day, or 1 person every 11 mins, and now in the top 10 causes of death in the United States. The problem has been getting worse with an increase in preventable opioid deaths of 26% in 2016 which is only overshadowed by the 544% increase we have seen since 1999.

The background and causes to the problem are varied but in many cases, the start of addiction begins with medically prescribed medication and far too frequently end tragically with death from overdose. With the rising incidence, the epidemic is having a wide impact with barely anyone left untouched.

For some struck by tragedy, such as Ed Kopetsky, the CIO for Stanford Children's Health, Lucile Salter Packard's Children's Hospital, they have turned devastation into a drive to action. Ed sadly lost his son, Jim, to an overdose following a history of exposure to opioids that dated back to high school. Take a look at the video of two of the stories from CHIME members:

“If we can save just one more person from that addict path by speaking up and using our voices and using the power of CHIME and the power of the people all united to try to change, I think we will make a difference”

Together with his colleagues and friends from CHIME they formed the CHIME Opioid Task Force. Their mission is to harness the unique insights and assets of their healthcare leaders and institutions to make a real difference to address the crisis. They are united in their goal of combatting the increasing addiction and growing mortality of the Opioid Crisis by raising awareness, publicizing leading healthcare practices, providing data for medical research, policy advocacy and leveraging our leadership talent in unique and powerful ways.

NTT DATA Give Back

NTT DATA has a long history of giving back to worthy causes and this year at HIMSS19 as joined forces with The CHIME Opioid Task Force, DisposeRx (who offers a unique and safe method for disposal of unused or expired medications) and Luster Mosaics to create a mosaics picture from individual user-contributed pictures posted on Twitter and Instagram.

For every post using the hashtag #NTTDWhyICare NTT DATAis donating $5 (up to 15,000) to the CHIME Opioid Task Force and will use the pictures to create a unique mosaic image live on the show floor. To get involved, simply snap a shot, post it to Instagram or Twitter using #NTTDWhyICare with a statement about why you care.

You can click here to create a tweet with the correct hashtag

Or this link: Tweet #NTTWhyICare

Join in at HIMSS 2019

Stop by booth #3301at HIMSS19in Orlando to see the mosaic as it gets put together and see if you can find your picture. While you are there, pick up a DisposeRx packetand see how easy and effective it is to safely dispose of any medication in your home.

Come join us for a reception on Wednesday, February 13 at 5:00 pm EST at the NTT DATA HIMSS19 booth #3301as NTT DATA and DisposeRx present a check and reveal the completed hashtag-driven social media mosaic art to the CHIME Opioid Task Force.

If you’d like to donate directly to the CHIME Opioid Task Force, you can do so here