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Letter: Recovery in North Berkshire
Letters to the Editor,
03:00PM / Wednesday, September 20, 2017
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To the Editor:

On Saturday, Sept. 23, the community is invited to come together to celebrate recovery from addiction and mental illness in our region at the Voices for Recovery Walk, Rally and Vigil. It will take place at Colegrove Park on Church Street in North Adams from 1-3:30 p.m. This event, organized by the Northern Berkshire Community Coalition, is part of a national observance of Recovery Month, a time to talk about and celebrate recovery.

Addiction, and the mental health issues that surround it, are challenges that many find hard to talk about and feel helpless to address. However, there are positive and affirming actions we can take to respond to the epidemic of addiction.

Reach out: Addiction and mental illness are the loneliest diseases. If you know someone who is impacted by addiction or mental illness, either personally or through the illness of a loved one, you can make a difference by simply reaching out to that person and letting them know you care and would like to support them. The shame and stigma of addiction can be a real barrier to recovery. Be kind and compassionate to those who are suffering.

Join a community work group: The Northern Berkshire Community Coalition has a work group that meets monthly to engage local solutions to the opioid epidemic, and a work group implementing strategies to prevent underage alcohol and marijuana use. Community members are invited to participate in these efforts.

Medication use: Securely store and appropriately dispose of all medications, and use only as directed. Never share your medications.

Talk to the youth in your life: Many people believe it's inevitable that youth are going to experiment with substances. But the fact is many of them do not. Talk to the youth in your life, support their well-being, and encourage them not to use alcohol and marijuana until they are 21 and their brains are more fully developed. This will dramatically reduce their risk of developing an addiction.

Advocate: Sober housing, better reimbursement and longer treatment, recovery coaches, a funded recovery center. These services would provide critical support for people striving to recover. Advocate to bring these services to our community.

I hope to see you all Saturday. We will remember those lost at the vigil, hear from those touched by the epidemic at the rally, combat stigma by walking together, and come together as a community to support recovery.

Wendy Penner
Director of Prevention and Wellness
Northern Berkshire Community Coalition

 

 

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