Story and photos by James Sinner
Activists, treatment representatives, those in recovery, and loved ones of those passed-on, gathered Saturday afternoon; offering support, information and resources at the 1st annual Celebrate Orleans Recovery Day at State Street Park which was sponsored by Orleans-Recovery Hope Begins Here, whose goals are to help individuals into sustainable recovery, shatter the stigma of Substance Use Disorder, support family members and provide community education.
“The face of addiction has changed,” remarked Kathleen Hodgins, Director of Treatment Services at Genesee/Orleans Council on Alcoholism and Substance Abuse, in Albion, N.Y. “You never know where you’re going to need a Narcan kit,” she stated, explaining further that opiate addiction no longer restricts itself with any socio-economic boundaries. Anyone, anywhere, is at risk.
Kyle Ruggeri, a recovering cocaine and heroin addict, was a key speaker at the event, sharing his thoughts.
“I feel like everyone has kind of got a different path to recovery. So, I think events like this are great because it might be a parent you connect with, or the 12 step program, or just one particular person in recovery you wouldn’t have met otherwise.”
Ruggeri, who kicked his habit two years ago, relies on these engagements organized through his online group, Sober Dogs, in order to stay clean. He shared some words to anyone still struggling with addiction.
“There is hope. It doesn’t matter how bad you think it is, or how bad your addiction is, there is hope. There is someone out there who has been through the same thing, so speak up, and someone will hear you.”
Case Manager at GCASA, Kim Lockwood, noted her thoughts on drug-ring leaders pedaling narcotics, like fentanyl, purely for profit. The dealers at the top of the pyramid, who are not addicted themselves.
“If they can lay down at night knowing they kill people, then an eye for an eye. If they aren’t embroiled in addiction themselves, and are doing this purely for profit, then an eye for an eye is how I feel.”
The free event had several speakers talk about life in recovery, there was also a bounce house and games for kids and music provided by the Midnight Cruisers along with food for purchase from Dubby’s Wood Fired Pizza.
Anyone who participated in the Narcan Training received a Narcan kit provided by Orleans-Recovery Hope Begins Here.
All addiction has exactly the same roots regardless of the substance or behaviour that makes up the addiction. So addiction could be to substances such as alcohol, drugs or food, or it could be to behaviours such as gambling or shopping. All addictions are there to serve the same purpose, which is to change the way the addict feels. All addiction is masking unresolved pain.