Page 10 - 2025 Summer Our Hands

Substance Use Disorder
Muller: Continued funding for (SUD) Treatment
substance use treatment saves lives Trauma Assessments
Medication Assisted
Treatment
Psychiatric Services
Case Management

Across Michigan and the nation, substance use disorder continues to be one of Teen vaping continues
the most urgent public health crises of our time. According to a 2023 national to be a predominant issue
report from the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration,
approximately 17% of Americans aged 12 or older have experienced a in Michigan
substance use disorder. That means nearly one in five of our neighbors,
coworkers, classmates and loved ones have faced the devastating effects of Ninety percent of smokers begin before 18. If we
addiction. This crisis affects individuals, but its ripple effects touch every don’t act smart on vapes, we risk our children’s
corner of our communities, from our families and schools to our workforce health and futures.
and healthcare systems.
During her State of the State address, Governor
Narcan has been a game changer. This life-saving medication can reverse the Gretchen Whitmer said that finding ways to stem
effects of an opioid overdose within minutes. Over the past year alone, a the teen vaping epidemic is a top priority for her
staggering 25% reduction in opioid-related deaths has taken place across the administration.
country, thanks in large part to Narcan being more accessible in schools,
libraries, community centers and through outreach programs. “I propose closing a longstanding loophole and
taxing vapes similar to how we tax cigarettes.”
Narcan distribution programs need funding. Recovery housing, medication-
assisted treatment, peer support services and mental health care must be To that end, Vice President of Behavioral Health for
accessible and adequately resourced. Without consistent support, we risk sliding Samaritas Anthony Muller says its vape prevention
backward and that would be a tragic loss, not just of progress, but of lives and and treatment programs work
adequate resources. with area schools and
communities to help teens
Read the rest of the Op Ed here. reduce and, ultimately, end
their vape addictions.

“Using vapes for a period of
time, adolescents, there is
definitely
progression of
use and
addiction
symptomology
that is
important to
be addressed.”

Muller says many teens start vaping in middle
school falsely thinking that vaping is a healthier
substitute to cigarette smoking.

“Again, that’s not accuracy behind it, and then
getting the buzz from it. Once people start and it’s
so much more powerful in the high concentrations
that they have.”

Muller is hopeful treatment programs paired with
the governor’s 32% wholesale tax on vapes and oral
pouches can curb the teen vaping epidemic.

Article by WGVU News, David Limbaugh