News Talk 94.1/AM 1600 Where The Upper Cumberland Talks
A Recovery and Prevention Celebration will showcase resources available to Jackson County residents Thursday night to fight substance abuse.
The Jackson County Prevention Partnership hosting the event at Gainesboro’s Bridge Church. Power of Putnam Project Director Nora Anderson said in rural counties, people often have to travel to find resources like these, or simply do not know they exist. She said the preventative element of the celebration will equip people with tools to avoid addiction altogether.
“We want to make sure that folks know, first off, that recovery is possible,” Anderson said. “This is a celebration, so we want it to be very positive. We want people to know that we support them. If someone is struggling or if they know someone who is struggling, help is out there.”
Anderson said there is a lot of stigma around substance abuse. She said people often believe that their addiction is a personal failure or they have done something wrong. She said people can attend the event from 5:00pm-7:00pm to be embraced by supporting communities who can offer them the help they need.
“It’s not their fault,” Anderson said. “It’s a disease and just like if you break your leg, you go to the hospital and you get a cast on your leg. If you have an illness, you get medication. If you are experiencing a substance use issue, you get treatment.”
She said attendees will be taught how to reverse an overdose, supplied with fentanyl testing strips, and informed of common red flags and warning signs that might tip them off to a loved one struggling with substance abuse.
“I think it’s going in a positive direction,” Anderson said. “10 years ago, we wouldn’t be having the same kinds of conversations that we have. I think there’s a lot more openness about talking about it. There’s a lot more understanding of the causes behind it.”
She said there is a lot of work yet to be done, but events like these are a great tool to spread awareness and get people talking about prevention and recovery.
