More than 20,000 suffer from substance abuse in Santa Cruz County

On Thursday, United Way of Santa Cruz introduced the “Talk About It” campaign to community members at Aptos High School.

Drug prevention experts said removing the shame addicts and families feel when speaking up is a big part of the solution.

“I was a straight-A student growing up and I never thought I would be an addict,” said Nicole Keadle.

Keadle started using meth when she was 21 years old. She said she was the only addict in her family and didn’t think they would understand.

“I knew that they would be ashamed of having an addict as a child and I couldn’t go to my employer, I didn’t know who to turn to,” said Keadle.

Now three years sober, Keadle leads others to ask for help. She hopes the new campaign can get rid of the stigma. It teaches parents how to talk to their kids and about the warning signs of substance abuse.

“It’s really not about the individual’s fault that they have a substance abuse disorder. It’s a treatable chronic condition,” said Megan Joseph with the United Way.

Capitola police Chief Rudy Escalante talked about the growing problem in the county.

“A little over 21,000 people in Santa Cruz County are suffering from some sort of substance abuse disorder and roughly about 60 percent of those people are not able to get into treatment for a variety of reasons,” said Escalante.

Escalante has seen the benefits of talking about it and Keadle has lived it. She is now happy and working a full-time job.

“It might seem scary but I’m telling you that asking for help and being slightly uncomfortable is a lot better than finding yourself in a bed in the county jail,” said Keadle.