Closing The Gap
Recently, the problem has only worsened. “Before the pandemic, they were just passing out opioids like candy,”Wright says, referring to medical professionals trying to ease pain from physical ailments. Several months into the pandemic, Wright sees the isolation quarantine has caused and relates it to previous points in his life. “It’s a streamlined opportunity for addiction to progress.”
community just has fewer studies. Programs go to pull numbers for data and funding, but there’s a gap. My job is to ! nd those gaps and close them.” Wright says restrictions from the pandemic have caused an increase in the use of telehealth, a tool that is o " en more accessible than requiring patients to travel to brick and mortar facilities. “I believe solutions like this
can help us learn more about the underserved
parts of this community so we can get more of the data and resources distributed to those areas.” As he continues working to assist in these studies, Wright also o # ers counseling speci ! cally for veterans dealing with suicidal thoughts and addiction.
As a social worker, Wright aims to address some of the deepest rooted struggles of those dealing with substance abuse. He works to increase the amount of data within the Black community that is readily available for studies. “When you look at the numbers, the African- American
“I believe solutions like this can help us learn more about the underserved parts of this community so we can get more of the data and resources distributed to those areas.”
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- Kelland Wright
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