The jcf faq
Frequently Asked Questions about the Jeremy Castro Foundation, heroin addiction and recovery.
Where do the donations go?
Donations go toward helping those in our community who want to recover from their heroin/drug addiction and return to a life of sobriety. We help by sponsoring them in reputable sober-living homes, where they can heal, recover and learn “how to live sober” with others who understand their struggle.
What kind of non-profit is the JCF for tax purposes?
JCF is a public, non-profit foundation, granted 501(c)(3) status by the IRS, so all donations are tax deductible, to the extent allowed by law. Receipts will be given for donations of $250.00 or more annually.
How can I help the foundation?
These are some ways that you can help us continue sponsoring the treatment of individuals seeking recovery:
1) Donating by clicking here.
2) Shop Amazon! At smile.Amazon.com you can designate JCF as your charity of choice, and a small percent of your qualifying purchases will go directly to JCF! Click here to learn more.
3) Buying our JCF merchandise: stylish clothing with the JCF logo so you can share our cause with friends and family. Visit Reppin' JCF! to see our line of t-shirts, beanies and hoodies for men and women.
4) Through Employer Matching: Does your employer offer to match employee donations? Many companies will offer to match or exceed your donation to non-profit organizations. Ask your employer and make your donation to JCF go twice as far!
Can I share my story of struggling with substance abuse?
Please share with us your experience about dealing with or overcoming drug addiction. We would love to receive it. Your story can make a positive impact in the life of someone who is going through the same experiences.
We can keep all individuals anonymous if requested. Send your story and images (optional) to info@jeremycastrofoundation.org to see it on our Instagram account. We check our messages daily! 😊
What are the signs of drug addiction?
Here are some signs to help identify if you or a loved one may have an addiction:
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If you keep taking a drug after it is no longer needed for a health problem.
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If you need more and more of a substance to get the same effects (called tolerance).
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If you spend a lot of your time thinking about the drug: how to get more, when you will take it, how good you feel.
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If you have lost interest in things you once liked to do.
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If you are having trouble getting along with other people from your social circle or family.
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If you feel sick without them
What is the difference between drug addiction and drug abuse?
Drug addiction affects a person's brain and behavior. At first, someone may choose to take a drug or substance because they like the way it makes them feel. It can be any type of drug, street drugs like heroin or cocaine, or substances such as alcohol, nicotine and opioid painkillers.
Over time, if someone keeps taking them, these drugs can change how their brain works, making long lasting physical changes that lead to the loss of self-control and damaging behaviors. This urge to get and take drugs can fill up all their thoughts, even if they want to quit their habit.
Drug abuse occurs when someone uses legal or illegal substances in ways they should not. They might take more than the regular dose of prescription pills or abuse drugs to feel good, ease stress, or avoid reality. But generally, they are still able to change their unhealthy habits or stop using at all.
Overall, addiction is when you cannot stop, not necessarily when it puts your health in danger.
What is the U.S. opioid crisis?
According to the U.S. department of Health and Human Services, in the late 90s, pharmaceutical companies reassured the medical community that patients would not become addicted to opioid pain relievers.
With that assurance, healthcare providers started to prescribe painkillers at greater rates, leading to misuse of both prescription and non-prescription opiods and an increase in overdose deaths. It quickly became clear that these medications are indeed highly addictive.
The second wave hit in 2010, with the fastest-growing rate in overdose deaths associated with heroin. In 2013 the third wave began, with a significant increase in overdose deaths involving synthetic opioids, particularly those involving illicitly manufactured fentanyl.
What is fentanyl?
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention explains that fentanyl is a synthetic opioid pain reliever, approved for treating severe pain, typically advanced cancer pain. This drug is 50 to 100 times more potent than morphine. It is prescribed in the form of transdermal patches or lozenges, but it can be diverted for misuse and abuse.
Most recent cases of fentanyl-related overdoses and death in the U.S. are linked to illegally made fentanyl, sold through illegal markets for its heroin-like effect.
Today it can be found in combination with heroin, counterfeit pills and cocaine to increase its euphoric effects, with or without the user’s knowledge.
See the CDC study about the increase in overdose deaths involving synthetic opioids.
What is being done to combat the opioid crisis?
To empower local communities on the frontlines, the U.S. department of Health and Human Services launched a Five-Point Strategy in 2017, addressing their top priorities to reduce opioid morbidity and mortality through:
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Access: Better Prevention, Treatment, and Recovery Services
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Data: Better Data on the Epidemic
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Pain: Better Pain Management
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Overdoses: Better Targeting of Overdose-Reversing Drugs
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Research: Better Research on Pain and Addiction
Watch the HHS 5-Point Strategy to Combat the Opioid Crisis video.
What can I do to protect my community from the opioid crisis?
The Jeremy Castro Foundation focuses on open communication with individuals and families coping with substance abuse and the dissemination of valuable information about recovery and research about drug addiction and the opioid crisis.
There are many ways you can take part in this fight, such as:
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Talk to your kids about addiction, the presence of drugs in their schools, teams, clubs, etc.
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Talk to your local school board, principals and/or teachers about having an assembly addressing the drug crisis.
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Talk to your local government (city council, police department, etc) about bringing awareness of drug use and addiction to the community, through educational programs.
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Support our Foundation to bring help and hope to those who are shackled by addiction.