The LMAS District Health Department calls upon local media, law enforcement officials, health care leaders, and all community members, to work with us in reducing stigma related to Substance Use Disorder (SUD). We must work together to get anyone experiencing SUD the support and treatment they need, and overall, to combat and overcome the opioid epidemic that has had a dramatic impact in our U.P. communities.

Monica Eriksen, Registered Nurse leading the LMAS Harm Reduction Program, urges the importance of changing attitudes and stigma related to persons with SUD. “A good place to start is in the words we use, such as “person with SUD” instead of using words like “addict, junkie, drunk, or user,” Eriksen explains.

Stigma is a negative attitude directed at an individual or groups of people with a shared characteristic. Stigma is also a belief that the person or persons in that group – i.e. those with SUD – are “less worthy than” other people.

“This is a big problem – as SUD stigma often prevents people from getting the care they need. In the United States, only about 10% of people with SUD seek help due to this stigma within their family and friend group, society in general and within the medical community,” says Eriksen. “By creating a welcoming and supportiveenvironment and cultural climate, people are more likely to open up and discuss substance use.”

So, how should we talk about Substance Use Disorder? As community members, we must first learn more about SUD, its causes and the paths forward. There are many medical conditions, such as depression and anxiety disorders, that are not visible and are not limited to any particular population group – and SUD is one of those invisible conditions. SUD is a brain chemistry disorder that leads to the misuse of alcohol and other drugs like opioids.

The LMAS District Health Department Harm Reduction and Rural Opioid Response Programs are working to bring these challenges out of the shadows and remove the stigma, while providing more services and resources for persons with SUD to live healthy, happy and productive lives. To learn more, please visit and/or call the LMAS Harm Reduction line at 906-322-4444. More information is also available at https://www.lmasdhd.org/copy-of-harm-reduction-program.