Pediatricians ’ Counseling Hopes To End Teen Opioid Addiction Before It Starts

WAREHAM (CBS) – One out of every four teenagers admits to misusing or abusing, a prescription drug. It’s a dangerous road that can lead to addiction. To prevent and treat drug-use in kids there is now a first-of-its-kind program tackling the issue head-on right at the pediatrician’s office. At Wareham Pediatrics, the Cat in the Hat welcomes young patients and route markers provide a guide to the exam rooms. (WBZ-TV) But the practice itself could be creating a road map to prevent and treat addiction in kids. (WBZ-TV) “It was a really helpless feeling to sometimes see kids and families struggling with drug, alcohol, or even worse opiate use and not have the tools,” Dr. Jason Reynolds told WBZ-TV. Wareham Pediatrics now has those tools. It is believed to be the only pediatric practice in Massachusetts offering drug counseling and medical treatment right in their own office. “We’re thinking the closer we can get it to home, the more people we can reach,” said Shannon Mountain-Ray. To make this a reality, Mountain-Ray, a clinical social worker at Boston Children’s Hospital now spends part of her week in the Wareham office. The idea for this pilot program came from the Pediatric Physicians’ Organization at Children’s. Mountain-Ray is available for counseling sessions with kids, and works right alongside Dr. Jason Reynolds and Dr. Steve Mendes. “Anytime we find somebody who has been using drugs or experimenting ...
Source: WBZ-TV - Breaking News, Weather and Sports for Boston, Worcester and New Hampshire - Category: Consumer Health News Authors: Tags: Health Local News Syndicated Local Boston Children's Hospital Confronting The Crisis Lisa Hughes opioid crisis Suboxone Source Type: news