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Why Are Opioids Addictive?

Opiates, naturally occurring alkaloids, are found in opium poppy plants, and relieve pain symptoms. Drugs in this family include heroin, opium, morphine and codeine, reports opium.com.

The American Society of Addiction Medicine classifies opioids, which are at least partially synthetically produced, in two categories: illicit, which is where heroin falls; and licit, which are prescription pain relievers that include oxycodone, hydrocodone, codeine, morphine and fentanyl.

 These drugs are chemically related and interact with opioid receptors on nerve cells in the brain and nervous system to produce pleasurable effects and relieve pain.

Meeting Them Where They Are

Story by Anna Bartlett

Members of Ohio Conference’s Elyria church run several programs to build community with those in need of healing.

“In the entire community of Elyria and Lorain... there is a very strong drug epidemic and [high risk of] overdose in these cities,” shares Marius Marton (pictured below), Elyria church pastor.

In response to this members of the Elyria church, some who are themselves recovered or in recovery from addiction, run a long-standing women's ministry and a brand-new men's ministry to build community with those in need.

November 2017 Feature: On the Front Lines of the Opioid Crisis

Story by Tamaria L. Kulemeka

The opioid and heroin epidemic is crippling communities across the nation, leaving health officials and providers, coroners, law enforcement and churches scrambling to respond to and combat this widespread crisis.

Bonnie Franckowiak, professor and coordinator of the Master of Science Nursing Program at Washington Adventist University in Takoma Park, Md., says, “The use of opioids in this country is staggering. It’s huge, and it’s growing all the time; we don’t seem to have a handle on it at all,” she says. “In 2012, 259 million prescriptions were written for opioids, which is enough to give every American adult their own pill box.”

Terry Burns named president of Kettering Medical Center

Kettering Adventist HealthCare logo

Story by Elizabeth Long

Terry Burns has been named president of Kettering Medical Center and Executive Vice president of Kettering Adventist HealthCare effective November 1, 2017. He replaces Jarrod McNaughton, who has stepped down for personal reasons.

Burns has held executive roles in the Network since 2001, most recently as the chief financial officer of Kettering Medical Center and executive vice president of Kettering Adventist HealthCare, since November, 2015.

Editorial: Cling to Jesus

Photo by AleBricio from Pixabay

Editorial by Patricia Monteiro

We live in a world that seems to spin much faster than we want it to, with each day accelerating a little more. We feel overwhelmed, tired and often discouraged because we want to produce and accomplish more goals than we did the day before. Months and years go by, leaving us feeling defeated.

Charnicharts Join Pennsylvania Team

Gary Gibbs and his wife, Sherilyn, welcome Carlos and Liz Charnichart to the Pennsylvania Conference team.

Story by Tamyra Horst

At the Pennsylvania Conference Executive Committee, delegates elected Carlos Charnichart to serve as the new conference treasurer. His wife, Liz, also accepted an administrative assistant position in the conference office. The Charnicharts are looking forward to joining their team later this year.

Mountain View Conference President Announces Retirement

Story by Valerie Morikone

After serving nearly 29 years in the Mountain View Conference, President Larry and Joan Boggess announced their retirement at the October 24 Mountain View Conference Executive Committee in Parkersburg, W.Va.

Larry and Joan expressed their gratitude to the Mountain View Executive Committee for giving them the privilege to serve the conference family. They also expressed their gratitude to the Executive Committee for their steadfast support as they worked together to enlarge the kingdom of God in Mountain View.