Following are our most recent Facebook posts. Please go to our Facebook page (http://www.facebook.com/shatterthestigma) to read additional posts.
Imagine a world where those that helped create this epidemic "get" to help solve it....
"Big Pharma should pay the billions it will take to fix the opioid crisis it created in Arkansas, a first-of-its-kind lawsuit says. The suit, filed last week in Crittenden County Circuit Court, brings together 215 Arkansas cities and all 75 counties in the state and accuses opioid manufacturers of wreaking havoc by aggressively pushing the drugs from the early 2000s to the present, leading to hundreds of overdose deaths while straining law enforcement and public health resources. It seeks to have a jury in Arkansas determine how much money the companies should pay to create mental health clinics, drug courts, opioid abuse treatment clinics and other treatment programs across the state." Imagine .... www.cnn.com/2018/03/30/health/arkansas-opioid-lawsuit/index.html
Shatter the Stigma shared James' Place Inc.'s post.
There is consideration of involuntary treatment for SUD in Maryland this legislative session. For me it's very weak and not well thought out. However, here's information where Florida has been using the Marchman Act for years and getting results. Kentucky has it's Casey's Act; Washington State has it's Ricky's Law coming on board April 1st, this year. Being informed helps us all as we navigate hope filled solutions. www.msn.com/en-us/news/us/one-state-forces-opioid-abusers-to-get-help-will-others-follow/ar-BBJYZ...
When my son, Jim, died from the disease of addiction there was little talk in the press much less in general conversation. When I was looking at what I could do in his honor, it was clear that we had to start by shattering the stigma of this disease. And so our work as James' Place Inc. began...first with research and education to better understand the disease.
Everything grew from there. Today we collaborate across the country with so many awesome organizations and individuals making a difference and saving lives.
Together we are better! Together we are shattering the stigma!
Thanks for being a part of making the world a safer place for hope and healing!!
Shatter the Stigma (STS) is the informational arm of James' Place Inc. (JPI), a non-profit organization dedicated to bringing the disease of addiction into the light of hope and healing through education and recovery services.
There are so many ways to look at the opioid epidemic. Here's an excellent survey done by the American Farm Bureau Federation. We know this is a rural and urban epidemic. Get more specifics as it relates to attitudes and availability with the farming industry.
www.fb.org/newsroom/survey-shows-massive-opioid-impact-in-farm-country-farm-groups-call-for-dia
Survey Shows Massive Opioid Impact in Farm Country; Farm Groups Call for Dialogue, Action
fb.org
The opioid crisis has struck farm and ranch families much harder than the rest of rural America, a Morning Consult survey shows.
Live and work in Maryland? Key job opening!
Friends, here is a much needed job position to support the work needed to be done with the opioid crisis. The successful candidate will be working in the Howard County Health Department. Please share across your domains - closing date July 5th. Your helping sharing the opportunity is greatly appreciated! Opioid Project Administrator, Contingent II Grant-Funded Center for Drug Policy and Enforcement www.ubalt.edu/about-ub/offices-and-services/human-resources/jobs-at-ub.cfm?type=staff&posting=1245
Fabulous!
For many of us we can only say "its about time!" In time when news coverage feels so dramatic rather than educational and informative, this is fresh air! "Language is complicated and often slow to change — and for a group that has been criminalized, fighting stigma and misinformation is a constant struggle. But when the media start treating people with addiction with the same respect that they use for other patients, perhaps the rest of America will start to accept that addiction is a medical problem and that moralizing and punishment have failed." undark.org/article/associated-press-stylebook-addiction/?utm_content=buffer58b38&utm_medium=socia...
How do we shatter ignorance by elected officials?
We've been doing it successfully for years; seems we have one more BIG nut to crack....
Seriously? Just when we were seeing hope peeking out of the clouds .... Here's praying we can write, call and press to keep millions alive rather than slip back to the dark ages. www.politico.com/story/2017/05/05/donald-trump-opioids-drug-control-funding-reaction-238047?cid=apn
The turmoil of hope meets the need to merge to integrate efforts to save lives....
With respect to those who remain in denial, beware! There is no place to hide. With respect for what is evolving, take hope! During this time of what I now consider to be the "turmoil of hope", much is being done and on grand scales. However, within the turmoil is a scramble of confusion as to who is doing what... where is there overlap... duplication of effort and therefore missed opportunities especially using taxpayer dollars. As we merge to unite and integrate, I'm proud to be on the collaborative bandwagon. Together we ARE better! www.aol.com/article/news/2017/04/19/drug-overdose-deaths-surpass-war/22045058/
BITTERSWEET: HOPE BEYOND SUBSTANCE RELATED LOSS
Join us for a webinar on Feb 13, 2017 at 4:00 PM PST.
Register now!
attendee.gotowebinar.com/regist…/8082205791605374210
Are you concerned about the epidemic of overdoses in the United States? If so you are not alone! Join Dr’s. Gloria and Heidi Horsley and Alan Pedersen, Executive Director of the Compassionate Friends as they explore with bereaved parent and addiction advocate/expert, Barbara Allen, the cause and treatment of the disease of addiction. Be part of the discussion by texting in your questions and comments. After registering, you will receive a confirmation email containing information about joining the webinar.
As we learn and grow in this effort to shatter the stigma of the disease of addiction, there is much to discover. Nothing is as simple as it seems. Being human is complex yet it is easy to simply dismiss those who appear "obnoxious" and/or disagree with our viewpoint.
Here's an interesting article for your consideration. Why is this interesting? In advocacy work we need original thinkers, advocates who have a clear point of view and a plan to move forward.
When we come upon those who are "loud", seem self promoting and lack any clear definition of a POV, we might wish to look deeper before throwing in with their agenda. Is there substance or an attractive shell of a being?
www.farnamstreetblog.com/2017/01/kristin-dombek-selfishness-others/
Kristin Dombek: The Selfishness of Others
farnamstreetblog.com
In The Selfishness of Others, Kristin Dombek offers a thought-provoking look at how narcissism became a cultural phenomenon and repository for our fears.
Final report from the Federal Parity Task Force - October 27, 2016. Parity has been missing for SUD and mental health insurance coverage. Check it out!
Our Report to the President on Mental Health and Substance Use Disorder Parity
whitehouse.gov
Federal Parity Task Force Takes Steps to Strengthen Insurance Coverage for Mental Health and Substance Use Disorders
In case you missed it....ending America's Opioid Crisis
We’re LIVE with the premier of Prescription For Change: Ending America’s Opioid Crisis. MTV has teamed up with Macklemore to go inside America’s opioid epidemic.
