Posted: Tuesday, April 08, 2014
Anchor Recovery Community Center will co-host two special events regarding addiction, overdose, and recovery this week. Organized in response to the recent rise in accidental overdose deaths in Rhode Island, this forum will focus on steps individuals and community groups can take to help prevent accidental overdose death from prescription painkillers and heroin.
“As we face this community crisis, it is important for all Rhode Islanders to understand: Addiction is a disease. Recovery is a reality. And if you act fast, you can save a life,” said Jim Gillen Director of Anchor Recovery Community Center.
“We have an all-star lineup for this forum and I encourage anyone with questions or concerns to attend. You will learn something and what you learn may just save the life of someone you love,” said Gillen.
Community Forum
Friday, April 11, 9:30 a.m.-12:00 p.m.
Rhode Island College, Alger Hall
The second in a series of community forums regarding addiction and overdose will be held, with several new speakers have recently been added. Opening remarks will be provided by Rhode Island Governor Lincoln D. Chafee. Another recently announced participant is Jack Reilly of Learn2Cope, a Massachusetts-based support group for parents and family members dealing with a loved one addicted to heroin, OxyContin and other drugs. Reilly and his daughter Rebecca, a person in long-term recovery, were recently featured on NBC Nightly News and Learn2Cope will be included in the special weeklong coverage of the overdose crisis on the Today Show. The segment on Learn2Cope is scheduled to run Tuesday, April 8.
In addition to Governor Chafee and Reilly, speakers include: Director of the Department of Behavioral Health Developmental Disabilities and Hospitals Craig Stenning, Michelle McKenzie, MPH, of The Miriam Hospital; Rebecca Boss, supervisor of Substance Abuse Treatment and Prevention Services (SATS) and the Office of Mental Health Services; Rhode Island College student and Certified Recovery Coach Trainer Holly Cekala; Jim Gillen, director of Anchor Recovery Community Centers; Sharon Morello, RN, of The Providence Center; and Robin Montvilo, RN, Ph.D., director of the Chemical Dependency Addiction Studies program at Rhode Island College. The emcee for Friday’s forum is NBC10 health reporter Barbara Morse Silva.
Seating is available on a first come, first served basis. Chemical Dependency CEUs are available with no fee.
“The Anonymous People”
Saturday, April 12, 7:00-9:00 p.m.
Kent County YMCA, 900 Centerville Road, Warwick, RI
Space is limited. Please reserve a seat by e-mailing info@anchorrecovery.org or by calling by calling the Kent County Y at 401-828-0130.
Anchor Community Recovery Center, RICARES, and the Kent County YMCA will co-host a special screening of “The Anonymous People,” a groundbreaking documentary about the 23.5 million person recovery movement in the United States.
“We are pleased to offer this opportunity for our members and the community as a whole to learn more about the real nature of addiction,” said Kent County YMCA Director Paula Jacobson. “Only through education can we hope to end this epidemic that has understandably alarmed so many Rhode Islanders.”
In the words of filmmaker Greg Williams, “There’s a decent chance that someone in your life has the disease of addiction. Maybe that person is a member of your family, your best friend or a close work colleague. If you are lucky, maybe he or she is one of the approximately 23.5 million Americans in recovery today. Moving from the negative perception of addiction to the celebration of recovery is a long road, but one well worth traveling.”
Anchor Recovery Community Centers are a program of The Providence Center. Serving more than 12,000 people a year, The Providence Center is Rhode Island’s largest community mental health organization and operates with an annual budget of $44 million. The agency employs 650 staff. Its services are provided statewide through 12 locations in Providence, Burrillville, Cranston, Pawtucket, and Warwick.