Substance misuse.
Addiction.
Drug abuse.
Junkie.
Alcoholic.
Substance Abuse Disorder.
The labels are plenty, but the resources are sparse. Whatever we call the challenges that precede an overdose, we must do a better job of providing support to those in our community who need help.
Viewing addiction and substance misuse as social blights and punishing the symptoms as crimes simply has not worked. It hasn’t worked for the people at the center of them. It hasn’t worked for their families. It hasn’t worked for our communities.
These concerns are medical in nature. This is a community wellness issue that we should be seeking to heal. Speak about these concerns with compassion, both for those in the throes of addiction and the families who desperately hope for their recovery from illness.
Today is International Overdose Awareness Day. Let’s take it one day at a time, and make tomorrow better.
HERE ARE SOME RESOURCES...
NATIONAL HELPLINE
1-800-662-HELP (4357)
Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration
LOCAL SERVICES
East Bay Recover Center
31 Railroad Avenue
Warren, RI 02885
401-289-2055
FOR THOSE LOOKING FOR RECOVERY:
Narcotics Anonymous: https://na.org/
Alcoholics Anonymous: https://www.aa.org/
For families: https://al-anon.org/
