On Friday, September 7, we lost Mac Miller, an inspiring and strikingly honest source of content in the music industry, to an overdose. Yet another valuable life was taken too soon by the hands of drugs.

On Friday, September 7, we lost approximately 115 people in the United States to opioid overdoses.

It's true. Over 115 people die every day in the United States after overdosing on opioids, which include heroin, prescription pain relievers, and fentanyl.

The number of drug overdose fatalities in the U.S. has been on a steady rise, and in 2017, over 72,000 Americans died from drug overdoses. As seen below, that number is over 50,000 higher than it was in 1999.

Drug overdose deaths in the United States have been on the rise.d14rmgtrwzf5a.cloudfront.net

Even more frightening is the fact that opioids account for about 68% of annual overdose deaths.

Being that the country is essentially in crisis mode due to substance abuse, you'd think it's about time something was done, right? Yet the only time substance abuse seems to become a serious topic of conversation is when the life of someone of high social caliber is threatened by it. Nevermind the fact that 115 people are dying every day, and even more, people are left grieving and missing a loved one every day as a result. Really, don't worry about it.

So, what's the problem? Why haven't sufficient measures been taken to help those who need it? If you ask me, it all circles back to the stigma surrounding drug addictions. In the midst of a crisis, society still does not offer the support that it should to the struggling people they claim to wish the best to. "I hope they get the help they need," everyone says. Yet when it comes down to it, people continue to pick the side most convenient for them rather than that which is for the greater good.

Take this as an example. In Highlands, NJ, controversy surrounding the possibility of a rehab facility being opened has been circulating since June. "The epidemic has touched everyone, but we don't want a rehab in the middle of town," said one Highlands resident. The facility would be "out of character" for the town, argued others. So you're saying a treatment center to help residents of your town who you know would be "out of character", yet you still have the nerve to say that you're "all for helping people"? How can you watch your neighbors, your loved ones, your friends' loved ones, suffer and deteriorate, but continue to reject the idea of them having treatment readily available? To me, that is disgusting and infuriating, and honestly, against every value, I believe we should hold as human beings. Even if it is not outwardly expressed, the stigmatization of those struggling with addiction is inherent in peoples' actions. Saying you are "all for helping people", but rejecting the idea of a treatment facility being built without offering valid reasons is a perfect example. Even more striking is the fact that some Highlands residents offered up the idea that the facility would "imperil local residents".

Imperil? You're telling me you think you're going to be in danger because a treatment facility has been built in your town? That SCREAMS stigma. I've never read anything more ignorant and self-centered.

If you read all of that and don't feel some kind of anger or rejection coming from inside you, I believe you very well could be part of the problem, even if you don't intend to be, or don't realize you are. Maybe you just aren't completely educated on the subject, in which case you should take this as a call to action. Take the time to read up, do some research, listen to the people who try to talk about their experiences. Any step in the right direction is still a step. Being aware is essential.

Take a moment to analyze where your perspective falls on the spectrum. Even for those of us who don't live in Highlands, this issue is still so, so relevant and plays such a huge part in the drug crisis as a whole. This is exemplary of the entirety of society's view of addiction. Take a second to ask yourself what you would do, or what you would want to be done if it was your family member, friend, or significant other struggling with substance abuse. Wouldn't you want treatment to be available? Wouldn't you want them to be able to get help? I hope your answers to those questions are yes.

Having seen addiction up close, I have learned firsthand what leads up to someone's decision to go down the path of drugs. I think when you are in a situation where a loved one is struggling in this way, you can either choose the path of ignorance, convincing yourself they chose this, or you can choose the path of intervention, educating yourself and offering any support you can to this person. I personally chose the latter, and I believe that choice contributed greatly to my transition into a wiser, kinder, more well-rounded person. I learned as much as I could about substance abuse, and to this day I still choose to make a conscious effort to continue learning. I don't think there will ever be a day when I decide that I know enough. I strive to be someone who can comfortably say that I know what I'm talking about, while still being able to admit that I don't know everything. When I speak on this subject, I want to be confident in the words that I'm sharing, but also confident in my capability and willingness to allow others to help me continue to learn. I think the element of selflessness required in order to really keep your mind and eyes open is what poses such an issue for society.

We are born not knowing how to live our lives for anyone other than ourselves, and that goes for all of us. It is something we need to learn, and in order to do that, I believe we have to make a conscious choice to learn how to do so.

If you came here just to hear me rave about Mac Miller, citing his accomplishments, dreams, and powerful lyrics, only for me to go back to my business the next day as if nothing ever happened, I won't apologize for taking a different route. That's not to say I don't appreciate all he did during his time on this planet. That's not to say I don't find it absolutely crushing that he is no longer with us.

My reason for taking this route is that, frankly, I am so sick of seeing people offer condolences and pay their respects when a celebrity dies, then return to business as usual and act like substance abuse is magically no longer a problem. It is a problem. It will continue to be a problem. It is a problem that exists every single day, not just the days when we lose someone from the limelight.

Today, we lost 115 people in the US to drug overdoses.

Tomorrow, we will lose another 115.

The trend is going to continue until we do something to make sure it doesn't.

If you would like to join me in making a donation to The National Center on Addiction, please follow this link to do so.