Of all the dangers stemming from the opioid epidemic in the United States, the abuse of the elderly population by addicts has left everyone stunned. The opioid crisis has led to unprecedented elder abuse in the home by adult children who are addicted. According to a recent report published in the boston globethere is a 37 percent increase in elder abuse cases in Massachusetts in the last five years.
The trend shows that adult children who use substances mostly move in with their elderly grandparents. Gullible seniors become easy prey for these addicts because some of them receive social security checks and others pension checks.
Adult children who become addicted constantly need resources to finance their addiction, and these financially stable adults become their easy targets. They are then financially, physically, and emotionally abused by addicts.
Money and valuables often go missing
Drugs and pills are expensive, and to maintain a steady flow, addicts need enough money. Often these addicts are also out of work because the addiction makes them unable to continue their work. So they resort to stealing things from the house: money, jewelry, other valuables, anything they can find. The police have reported numerous cases of theft of jewellery, money and other valuables.
physical abuse
Nor can cases of physical aggression be ruled out. Police, firefighters, and emergency medical services teams have become extremely vigilant in tracking down such incidents. According to the boston globe Report, Middlesex District Attorney Marian T. Ryan has asked first responders to look for unusual bruises on the wrists and forearms of the elderly, as these could be signs of a fight with their addicted grandchildren. The fear is that addicts will try to obtain these things through coercion. Ryan has also asked them to look for enough food in the fridge and other signs of abuse in the house, as a diligent search of the house may reveal other dark secrets and traces of rampant abuse. The problem is not just in Massachusetts, it is spreading across the US.
How to contain the growing violence in the home
The first step is to raise the level of awareness of the general population and assure older people of their safety. Quick response numbers and the helpline should be available so that one can get help at the touch of a button. Parents of these young addicts also have a key role to play in providing safety for their own parents from potentially violent grandchildren.
Available Treatment Options
The inevitable solution to all these diseases is proper treatment that too as soon as possible. Addiction is more of a disease than a crime. Therefore, it is a duty to bring every addict to the treatment level and remove the scourge from society.