For the third year in a row, the average life expectancy in American fell. With all the scientific and medical advancements going on in the world, United States life expectancy is, on average, dropping, due to what’s being called, “deaths of despair.”

The United States is the only modernized, developed country in the world to have this aberration taking place. Yes, this disturbing trend is only happening here in the good ol’ USA. I came across this statistic recently in a sobering article by the Detroit Free Press writer Mitch Albom. View it HERE.

People in America are dying younger than they should be. These “deaths of despair” are from drug-related fatalities, liver cirrhosis and suicide. Albom’s article talks about white, middle-aged and older, working-class people who are, essentially, giving up. And then there’s our younger generation, who are getting hooked on pain-killing opioids that lead to heroin usage when prescriptions run dry.

“The opioid epidemic” is killing too many, too young. Peoria Recovery Project founder, Sharon Harkless, and her family found out about this the hard way when their son accidentally overdosed and died a few years ago. Join us Saturday, April 27, from 10a – 3p at the Peoria Civic Center for the informative, free Peoria Recovery Project, day-long event, helping those struggling with any type of addiction disorder and their families.

Local officials will be on hand, knowing the significance of this problem here, too. The PRP has lined up interesting guest speakers: Jam Alker, musician and recovering addict, Buddah Strouse, spiritual wellness, medium and intuitive life coach and Brian Ready, founder of Oaks Recovery Center and recovering addict.

Make some time to get educated on this serious topic matter at this free event Saturday at the Civic Center exhibit hall. It’s The Peoria Recovery Project’s second annual event, with Peoria’s classic rock station, 95.5, GLO.

Doc Watson