As a former opioid addict and survivor, it has been frustrating to read news about Illinois’ opioid epidemic. Yes, the governor has formed a task force. But the state won’t be able to end the crisis if the best remedy — the one that saved my life — is not part of the conversation. That remedy is medical cannabis.
After a car accident in 2008, I was left in severe and debilitating pain. Doctors prescribed me oxycodone and Vicodin and dosages were increased as my pain refused to subside. While pills numbed my pain some, they also numbed me. I wasn’t a person anymore. I was an empty shell on autopilot, completely and helplessly dependent on opioids.
I lost my job. Friends and family slowly detached. After just two years on opioids, my life had completely crumbled and I was alone. It wasn’t until I was down to just 70 pounds that I realized if I didn’t change something, I wouldn’t survive. I decided then I had to stop. I weaned myself off the pills and started to feel a little better.
But a couple years later when I was off the medication, I realized I had been pregnant with my son while addicted to opioids. I live with guilt every day — for not researching what I was putting into my body and for risking the health of my unborn son.
So after I was hit by a car in 2016 and was struggling with post-traumatic stress disorder and fibromyalgia, I knew I couldn’t go back to opioids. I wouldn’t. I needed an alternative.
That alternative is medical cannabis, and it has saved my life. Instead of destroying my body with addictive opioids, I use natural cannabis oil on my gums and will occasionally vape for immediate pain relief. As a result, my mind is clear, and my life is happy.
I am one of the lucky survivors. Too many others have stories like mine whose stories might not have happy endings. Why? Because they don’t have a condition that the state deems worthy. While Illinois has started to address the issue, the solution they really need to explore is increased access to medical cannabis. The time to start talking about this was yesterday, but all we’ve got is today. Let’s make the most of it and start talking.
— Yajaira Santiago, Oak Park
