and finally tonight targeting those most at risk for opioid abuse more and more research shows student athletes are far more likely to be prescribed opioids for pain and at increased risk for misusing them as part of The Knockout opioid abuse program some high school kids in Jefferson Township got a chance to hear from a former NFL player and New Jersey native who made it big but nearly lost it all and now wants to help student athletes avoid those same mistakes Ted Goldberg reports my message is I'm a Survivor if I can do it anyone can do Ray Lucas survived an 8-year career in the NFL and an opioid addiction that nearly killed him now he's telling his story to high school athletes visiting 10 schools this year with partnership for a drug-free New Jersey getting this message early we think is really crucial because it gives them an opportunity to understand that if an injury does occur that there are some alternatives to Opi that they should be looking at Lucas's message is that addiction to opioids can happen to anyone at any age including standout athletes it's not the guy on the street that you see on 21 it's not the guy dancing in front of your mou for some change it's upper esteron Society it affects every every single one doesn't matter Creed religion whatever you are you probably have someone in your family that struggle with opioid addiction I think he has an ability to really connect with young people having had the same experiences many of these young people it makes it vital it makes it real life it's somebody that they can a Aspire to be but look up to as as learning from their experiences uh brings it to the Forefront and having them in front of them in these these types of settings um makes it more real for them Lucas spoke at Jefferson Township High School this week athletic director Bill cotch has seen the effects of addiction firsthand two roommates of mine um had very similar stories to Ray um and un fortunately are no longer with us because of the struggles that they had to deal with uh in opioid addiction Lucas's visit was co-hosted by preventionist key an addiction treatment center in Mars County one of their preventionists Megan Gabe says injuries can lead young athletes to addiction I bleow out my knee I tore all the ligaments in my knee um and luckily with my mom's help she had experience um with the players that she played with with opioid addiction and everything like that so I actually stayed away from those I've had 33 surgeries so far six neck 19 knee surgeries uh five right shoulder two right elbow to name a few you know what I mean I'm going in for another surgery sooner rather than later my artificial disc collapse Lucas hopes young people listen to his speeches and consider other ways to deal with pain all you have to do is ask what else can I take besides opioids now if I would have known back then that you could do a nerve block I've had two neck surgeries major with a nerve block and made it through with no opioids if it's prescribed by a doctor I think they believe that it's that it's okay um I I do believe that there are uh necessities and instances where they are needed uh but when it turns into abuse and overprescribed uh medications um it can be often misunderstood because not a lot of people talk about uh talk about this topic Lucas isn't shy on this topic or many others and he says if one person is saved from opioid addiction it will make his speeches worth it in Oak Ridge I'm Ted Goldberg NJ Spotlight news