Grand Island community shares how to get help for opioid addicts

Grand Island, NEB. — The opioid epidemic hits home as those caught in the middle of it try to learn how to help addicts.

"It makes me sick to my stomach," said Anna Fruehling, a Grand Island woman.

Fruehling shares frustration about getting help for opioid addicts.

"It is a very difficult process and I don't believe it has to be that difficult," Fruehling said.

It’s a long road towards recovery.

"We're here, let's face it, let's talk,” said Amber Smith, one of the panelists.

Medical professionals and community members coming together for a conversation on opioid abuse.

“I definitely felt the emotion and passion of the people that were here today”, Smith said.

She says combating opioid abuse is different than with other drugs.

“Why opioid is such a problem is because people think, this doesn't come from a drug dealer, didn't come from the streets, my doctor put this in my hands, what's wrong with it”, Smith said.

Anna Fruehling said she has relatives who've struggled with opioids, but says things could've turned out for the worst, if we didn't just push this under the rug.

"One of them had professionals as family members who I believe were a little ashamed to reach out and get help for him. He was in dire need and he could've died from his addiction," Fruehling said.

She said there's a stigma to getting help which shouldn't be the case.

"We should not be all like hush hush and be like ' oh did you hear about Joe?' Instead 'isn't it great that Joe is getting help for his addiction and just be more positive and outright about it instead of treating it like it's something to be ashamed of," Fruehling said.

Now the two ladies believe the panel brought awareness and forward thinking and say it's now time to look for a better solution.