Stay Strong In the Fight!

Social media has a way of reminding us about memories, doesn't it? Today I was reminded about the petition to the City of Martinsburg, WV and to the Berkeley County Council the need for a treatment center right here not hours away because the numbers of beds don't meet the demand.

From the beginning and even until today one of the greatest battles was trying to convince them how much this was needed. It often seemed like apparently those who had already died and those continuing to die from heroin and a heroin addiction wasn't good enough.

Our voices continued to grow louder trying to convince officials what was needed in the fight for recovery.

Even as far as we've come in this fight there are those who scream, Let Them Die! Oh, they've tried to smooth it all over when confronted by trying to say they too have family and friends addicted but honestly just who the hell heck loves an addict and screams for them to die?

Who wants someone you claim to love to die from heroin and this addiction? No one I know. At least I've not met one person yet in any circle that has that feeling. No one I know stands on that first step screaming, Let them die!

Just know that the NIMBY's are everywhere! They always will be.

Have you noticed that even today people continue overdosing on our streets? They overdose in public bathrooms, on sidewalks, and in the streets. They continue to overdose in parking lots all over town. This is proof that awareness is not enough.

In case you are wondering it is also the loudest scream for help an addict is giving. It is proof that these people do want help, they just don't know the way.

It is proof they want to live in the hopes that they will be found and revived. Some of them don't live. They are too beyond help when they are found. This is all the proof needed.

The voices are continuing to grow louder. Stay strong in the fight against heroin and stigma!

The Petition 

©2018 Gossip Girl 

#PreventionPower: National Prevention Week

For those who are unaware, next week is the annual SAMHSA National Prevention Week is an annual health observance dedicated to increasing public awareness of, and action around, mental and/or substance use disorders.

According to SAMHSA’s National Survey on Drug Use and Health, adolescents and full-time college students most often use substances for the first time during June or July. The timing of National Prevention Week provides an opportunity for schools and organizations to host prevention-themed events before the school year ends, raising awareness about this important issue among students and their families.

Mark your calendars! SAMHSA’s next National Prevention Week will be from May 14 to 20, 2017. Each year around this observance, communities, and organizations across the country come together to raise awareness about the importance of substance use prevention and positive mental health. The theme for NPW 2017 is: Making Each Day Count.

Parents and leaders of youngsters and teen organizations this is an opportunity to get information and talk about it. Learn the facts. 

For more information, and for resources and topics of discussion please visit SAMHSA Website

pic from spreadshirt

Promote Awareness

Today is Day number sixteen of the April Blogging Challenge and the day for the letter P. I chose for this letter to discuss promote awareness which is something I've been doing since coming out of the stigma of this addiction last year and starting this blog, as well as through this challenge. Awareness is something we don't have enough of.

Here are some facts about the heroin epidemic in this country.

Currently, 23 Million Americans are classified as having a substance abuse dependence and are addicted.

11 Million of those classified with drug abuse problems are between the ages of 12 and 29 years

Anti Drug PSA: Heroin

They will tell you Heroin is the best high you will ever high you ever have...

What they won't tell you about are the consequences of heroin.

video found @ youtube

National Drug Facts Week: Early Prevention Starts With Awareness

Last week I received an email from Jackie Cortez of Prevention Coalition.  What a great way to start the National Drug Facts Week off than to share some valuable links? It starts with prevention. It starts with more parental awareness. Prevention starts in the home, in the schools, in the churches, in the clubs.

Jackie says:

Tune In: The Red Hot Couch

Today I'm giving a shout out today to Joseph and James and The Red Hot Couch. I love the song they use for their start up. I finally caught the name of the song. WOW what a message in the words sung.

Tune in to listen Joseph Yvette and James Boyd's talk radio show, The Red Hot Couch

This song has become my pick me up in the mornings.

To anyone struggling with addiction, you can rise up and move those mountains!

Tune in and listen to The Red Hot Couch on Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday at 11AM on WRNR 740 AM or 106.5 FM

OR Friend WRNR on Facebook and listen Live on their Facebook Page.

The call in number to ask a question, share or to talk to the hosts  is 304-263-6540

Great job on your show Joseph and James!!!!

video from youtube

The 80's Campaign: Just Say No!

Thinking about all of the tools that could be used for awareness- community, schools and young people- took me back many years. How many of us reading can remember the, Just Say No campaign from the 1980's?

 "Just Say No" was an advertising campaign, part of the U.S. "War on Drugs", prevalent during the 1980s and early 1990s, to discourage

Steered Straight Speaks About the Heroin Epidemic Across This Country

This heroin epidemic that we are faced with in this country is the most damaging health crisis ever. It is happening in every city and in every state across the entire United States. The most devastated are small cities and states where the poverty level is below the national standard, like the state of West Virginia. Those of us on this side know that law enforcement cannot solve this problem. In fact the criminalizing those with addiction problems with handcuffs instead of help has been a disaster.

At the July town hall meeting here in Martinsburg, WV citizens were able to listen to our local officials and those from various other organizations talk about the heroin epidemic here. We had

Heroin Does Not Wear A Mask

I have been thinking about this for the longest time. You know I think there are so many out there that believes that heroin wears a face mask.

I often read posts on social media relating to the disease of this addiction and to heroin abuse using the Walking Dead relating to it. Too many people are looking for the faces of...

If this is what you're looking for you will miss it!!!!

Take a good look at your spouse, your child, your loved one your friend does that person look like a character from the Walking Dead? So, just how do you know that they are not using and abusing heroin or other drugs?

The harsh reality is that you don't really know. So, stop looking for the signs in any character or slogan or you'll miss it!!!!!

Maybe that is the problem. Relating it to the Walking Dead and to zombies that is what some are looking for, zombies. Uh no. Look at the person beside you. Do they look like a zombie? How do you know that person is not using and abusing heroin?

The quick answer is you don't. That is because they look like normal people. They look like the doctor, the lawyer, the policeman, the clergy, the grocery store clerk. Heroin doesn't wear a certain face or color. Heroin doesn't wear a mask and is not a character in a movie! Heroin is real. It will destroy those that you love.

This is just one of millions of the real face of heroin....

And this my friends....

Is the harsh reality of the powerful grip of heroin on a life and what will do....

The words relating to this picture was shocking and graphic... they may be. WAKE UP!!!! This is the reality of heroin!!!!! Some of us live or lived it everyday of every week of every month!!!!!

© 2016 Gossip Girl

Heroin Is: An American Epidemic

It really amazes me the people who still in todays world think that this can never happen to them or someone they love or to their family.

I often wonder if way back in the 1980's if we as young parents had the information available today would we be dealing with a son with addiction problems to this drug?

Heroin is the worst Public Health Crisis America has Ever Seen is unfolding before our eyes. Kids Are Dying, Families Are Devastated. It's An American Epidemic!

It is in every town big or small. Heroin affects those from all walks of life. This drug is no longer seen as only affecting the poor or the lower income. People of all walks of life are addicted.

Not talking about heroin has been the problem all along. Finding solutions to this epidemic will exceed outside of the village and each and every community. The biggest problem is the devastation it leaves behind.

For more information you can visit the webpage @ An American Epidemic You can also visit their Facebook page @ An American Epidemic

Video: youtube

Facebook: An American Epidemic

Can We Talk?

In the words of comedienne Joan Rivers, Can we talk? Can we talk and be honest with ourselves? Are we really doing enough here with this heroin epidemic in Berkeley County and Martinsburg?

Are we doing enough in the groups as far as all awareness; Community Awareness, Youth Awareness, etc...

Are we keeping this heroin epidemic in the forefront of our community making sure our local politicians are doing what is needed and what they have said they will do?

Are we finding the solutions to combat this problem here in Berkeley County and Martinsburg?

Really? Because...

Back To School Reminder: Our Kids Are Dying

Yesterday our kids went back to school here in Berkeley County (WV). Facebook reminders told us to watch out for the school buses on the roadways. I read reminders from driving carefully because of the small children on the bus stops to reminders to stop for the flashing red school bus lights.

BUT...

Up For Discussion: Do We Need A Treatment Center/ Rehab In Berkeley County?

Several readers have emailed me in the past weeks asking about the Recovery Resource Center here in Martinsburg, West Virginia in which Councilman Kevin Knowles was appointed Community Recovery Resource Coordinator several months ago.

Readers are asking and wondering when this will open to the public.

The Resource Center will be located in the same building in which county tax payers go to pay their taxes. On the first floor of 400 W. Stephen St in Martinsburg, WV

Some of you may already know that the hubby and I was invited and was given a special tour of the center several months ago. It was still in the early stages of...