As opioid crisis intensifies, one Md. school system looks at a ‘recovery’ school

Kevin Burnes thinks his school saved his life. He arrived there at 14 years old, just out of rehab, and says it was exactly what he needed: a place where kids with drug and alcohol problems could stay on a path of recovery as they worked toward high school graduation.
“I have no question that it changed the course of everything I was doing,” said Burnes, now a music teacher and musician.
The school that made the difference was Phoenix, in Montgomery County, believed to have been the first of its kind in the country. It opened in 1979 amid concerns about student drug use and continued for decades before fizzling to an end four years ago at a time of flux for alternative programs.
Now the idea may be making a comeback, with school leaders looking into the possibility of a new “recovery” school program as the nation’s opioid epidemic draws wide attention. While some in Montgomery pose questions about cost and effectiveness, others say the program worked well years ago and could help those who struggle with addiction today...

https://www.washingtonpost.com/local/education/as-opioid-crisis-intensifies-one-md-school-system-looks-at-a-recovery-school/2017/03/19/d0f8a57c-0981-11e7-a15f-a58d4a988474_story.html?utm_term=.44f7d4cd3b4c

Bills of Interest for Families Coping with Substance Use Disorder

   2017 SUD Legislative Priorities by Parents' Coalition of Montgomery County, Maryland on Scribd

15th annual "Preparing for Success" program for local students

Montgomery College and the Montgomery County Women's Bar Foundation are hosting the 15th annual "Preparing for Success" program for local students. The all-day seminar program is designed for middle school and high school students and parents. This year's theme is "Navigating Life, the Streets and Social Media". The event will be a town hall discussion that kicks off with a key note speaker and follows with presentations on safety issues that teens and parents face each day. The program is free to students and parents. A light breakfast and lunch will be served to attendees. Students have a chance to win prizes and giveaways for their active participation.

http://preparing4success.com/parents-agenda/

F.A.C.E. Addiction Advocacy Day a Great Success!

F.A.C.E. Addiction Maryland would like to thank all of the advocates who participated in the Rally to End Addiction on Tuesday, January 31st in Annapolis. There were about 50 folks from across the state who listened to the legislative panel, where we showcased four bills and five initiatives proposed by members of our affiliated organizations.

We had a large group of over 20 advocates meeting with members of the House and Government Operations Committee (see pictures from the event at the end of this email), while a smaller group met with the Education Subcommittee of the House Ways and Means Committee.

SOME IMMEDIATE RESULTS FROM THE RALLY

• TV coverage by WBAL TV - Lawmakers Tackle Maryland's Heroin Crisis https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=44KY9cUc1VY
   
• The Capital Gazette and Baltimore Sun ran this article:
  http://www.capitalgazette.com/news/for_the_record/ph-ac-cn-heroin-legislation-0205-20170204-story.html
   
• And most exciting, after our visit with his staff, Delegate Nicholaus Kipke introduced a bill to ensure that State funding cannot be denied to ABRT Recovery Residences who choose not to admit Medication-Assisted Treatment clients to their program. See House Bill 785.

THANK YOUs!

We would like to thank Delegate Seth Howard and his staff for reserving the Anne Arundel County Delegation Room for our legislative presentation.

We would like to thank Bracebridge Recovery Center for providing a very yummy spread for our breakfast reception. It was awesome!

We would like to thank Narconon Maryland for making sure that all of our legislative briefs were printed and in professional-looking green folders with our logo and info imprinted on a label on the front.

We would like to thank Recovery Partners Montgomery for renting a bus and bringing lunches for the advocates who were busy talking to their legislators.

All in all, it was a very motivating and inspirational day, and we met lots of new friends. Thanks to members of F.A.C.E. affiliates for participating --driving from far away places to attend (in alphabetical order): Heroin Action Coalition, Phoenix Rising, Project Hope, Recovery Partners Montgomery, S.O.U.L. Moms, The Addict's Mom, Voices of Hope for Cecil County, Worcester Warriors, and any others who were represented.

We will keep you posted as to the hearing dates for the bills that we were advocating for and hope to see everyone at the hearings to testify in support. 

Lisa Lowe
Director, Heroin Action Coalition
Member of F.A.C.E. Addiction Maryland

Sun. Oct. 2nd - Emergency Town Hall Meeting: Avery Road Treatment Center Contract

Town Hall Meeting
to Discuss Avery Road Treatment Center
at J+P Pizza, Damascus, Maryland
(26027 Ridge Rd - in Weis Shopping Center)

Sunday 10/2, from 9:30 a.m. to 11:00 a.m.

Light Breakfast + Coffee Provided

On October 4th, The Montgomery County Council will hold a public hearing to gather information on whether they should vote to enter into a 30 year lease agreement with Avery Road Treatment Center (ARTC). Advocates OPPOSE this long-term contractual agreement on the grounds that numerous serious complaints by consumers of treatment services against ARTC have never been resolved, despite on-going efforts on the part of advocates to engage in resolution strategies.

Please attend the Town Hall to learn more about this issue and why it matters to every single County tax payer; find out how you can participate in the democratic process to bring about necessary and critical changes in order to save lives; and enjoy breakfast pizza, doughnuts, and coffee gratis of J+Ps --home of authentic Italian cuisine in Damascus.

PLEASE R.S.V.P. to heroinactioncoalition AT gmail.com or call / text Lisa Lowe at 301-525-6183 for more information.

Moms Speak Out To Stop the Drug Epidemic in Montgomery County

On Saturday night, Rockville Town Square vibrated with the chatter of people, noise from the restaurants, and sounds from the band, Just Stones. In the midst of the bubbling activity of everyday life, a message was emphatically impressed on everyone present.
Parents of kids who are struggling or have struggled with drug or alcohol dependence were participating in the “Lights of Hope” recovery celebration. Their aim is to end the stigma of addiction and celebrate those in recovery.
“I asked my son, ‘If you don’t survive, can I speak the truth about it to help others?’ and he agreed,” shared Lynda Hudmon, a member of The Addict’s Mom (TAM), a support group for parents who have lost children to addiction, “I made a promise to him that I would never disrespect his memory. I made the same promise later to fiercely loyal friends who did not wish for him to be remembered for his struggles, but for the kind, giving, and smart person that he was.”...

 http://www.rockvilleview.com/moms-speak-out-to-stop-the-drug-epidemic-in-montgomery-county/

we're prescribing 259 million prescriptions for opioids every year — that's one for every adult American

"Our culture has gotten to a culture of excess, where we're prescribing 259 million prescriptions for opioids every year — that's one for every adult American. We are 5 percent of the world's population, but 80 percent of the world's opioid prescriptions. There's a bigger issue of culture that has to change."
— Dr. Leana Wen, Baltimore's health commissioner, in an interview with The Daily Record.

Responding to the Heroin Epidemic

Trending Topics- Responding to The Heroin Epidemic 4/18 6:45pm at Twinbrook Library. Guest Speaker: Robert A. Hill pic.twitter.com/MLuZ4xmtS3

— LWV MoCo MD (@MoCoMDLWV) April 13, 2016

Proposed MD Legislation Update from Heroin Action Coalition

Maryland General Assembly, 2016

Week of February 8^th – 12^th

HB15: Suspected Overdoses –Reporting Requirement. –Hearing in Health & Government Operations Committee on 2/2 at 1:00 –House Office Building, Annapolis. 

Sponsor:  Delegate Kathy Szeliga

Summary:  Requiring specified individuals who treat or are in charge of a hospital that treats an individual in Harford County for a suspected overdose that was caused or shows evidence of having been caused by a Schedule I controlled dangerous substance to notify the county sheriff, county police, or the Department of State Police of the suspected overdose within 48 hours after the individual is treated; requiring that a report of a suspected overdose include specified information; and establishing a specified penalty. –National Council on Alcohol & Drug Dependence

Please Testify:  Advocates are seeking people to testify in opposition of this bill –particularly anyone having personal experience with negative police interactions following an overdose.  Call Linda Williams, Addictions Connections Resources (ACR) at 443-417-6405.

Bill Online: http://mgaleg.maryland.gov/webmga/frmMain.aspx?id=hb0015&stab=01&pid=billpage&tab=subject3&ys=2016RS

HB 24: Overdose Response Program –Educational Training Requirement. –Hearing in Health & Government Operations Committee on 2/2 at 1:00 –House Office Building, Annapolis. 

Sponsor:  Delegate Kathy Szeliga

Summary:  Requiring educational training for an Overdose Response Program overseen by the Department of Health and Mental Hygiene to include training in the requirement to immediately contact medical services after the administration of naloxone by a certificate holder instead of training in the importance of contacting emergency medical services.  –National Council on Alcohol & Drug Dependence

Please Testify:  Advocates are seeking people to testify in opposition of this bill –particularly anyone having personal experience with negative police interactions after calling Emergency Medical Services following an overdose.  Call Linda Williams, Addictions Connections Resources (ACR) at 443-417-6405.

Bill Online: http://mgaleg.maryland.gov/webmga/frmMain.aspx?id=HB0024&stab=01&pid=billpage&tab=subject3&ys=2016RS

SB 315: Homicide, Kidnapping, and Drug Offenses. –Hearing in Health & Government Operations Committee on 2/2 at 1:00 –House Office Building, Annapolis. 

Sponsors:  Senators Hough, Brochin, Cassilly, Norman, and Ready

Summary:  This bill would increase criminal penalties for being involved in the overdose death of another due to heroin mixed with fentanyl. The bill also increases the maximum penalty for 2nd degree murder from 30 to 40 years. NCADD is opposing.

Bill Online:

http://mgaleg.maryland.gov/webmga/frmMain.aspx?id=SB0315&stab=01&pid=billpage&tab=subject3&ys=2016RS

Tonight - Public Forum: Countering the Heroin Challenge

Countering the Heroin Challenge 

A Free Public Forum 

When: 7:00 PM – Tuesday, April 7, 2015

Where: Bennigan’s - 23315 N Frederick Rd., Clarksburg 

Who: You, a friend, neighbor, and teens at parents’ discretion 

Speakers: Montgomery County State’s Attorney John McCarthy and Tara Handron, Caron Treatment Centers 

An increasing number of teens and young adults are becoming addicted to opiates, often committing crime as they try to finance a habit that can run into the hundreds of dollars a day – sometimes leading to overdose resulting in brain damage or death. Gaithersburg, Germantown and upper Montgomery County are being especially hard hit. 

Come hear the experts tell what’s being done to combat the heroin explosion in our communities … and what more needs to be done. 

Sponsored by the Upper Montgomery County Republican Women’s Club and The Republican Party of Legislative District 15 

This message is provided by Patty Winters, Coordinator, Brave and Bold Coalition braveandbold2011  AT gmail.com

FAMILY ADVOCATES LEGISLATIVE STRATEGY BRUNCH

PLEASE ATTEND THE 

FAMILY ADVOCATES LEGISLATIVE STRATEGY BRUNCH!

Who:  Anyone who wants better prevention, treatment and recovery services for those struggling with a substance use disorder

What:  The Maryland legislature will convene on January 14th.  We need representatives from around the state to meet with their elected officials prior to that, as well as during the session, to educate them on the issues and let them know why these issues are a top priority.  We stand a better chance of being successful if we can get everyone on board with a single policy agenda, a good strategic plan, and a unified voice.  

When:  Sunday, December 28th 

10:30 -- 11:00  Meet fellow advocates from around the state.  Enjoy pastries, muffins and bagels with juice and coffee, compliments of Heroin Action Coalition.

11:00 -- 12:30  Members of Heroin Action Coalition will present a unified policy agenda comprised of issues that advocates from around the state have been working on.  

Jason DeLizio, a Maryland lobbyist, will present an overview of how the legislature works, and how we can best impact the process to achieve our goals in 2015.  

Where:  The State House Inn

25 State Circle, Annapolis, MD 21401-1904
(410) 990-0024

Why:  Overdose death is now the leading cause of unexpected death in the state --higher than car crash fatalities, homicides, or suicides.  

Our children continue to die at an unprecedented rate, without an adequate response from our state leaders or a comprehensive strategy for solving the problem.  

In order for better prevention, treatment and recovery services to become a reality, our voice must be heard by those committed to serving us --our elected officials!  

--If they do not know our story, If we fail to ask for what we want --they cannot give us what we need!  

R.S.V.P. to Lisa Lowe, Heroin Action Coalition

heroinactioncoalition@gmail.com

301-525-6183

NBC4: "Our Families' Lives Have Been Hell": Mothers Rallying Against Heroin Epidemic

http://www.nbcwashington.com/video/#!/news/local/Our-Families-Lives-Have-Been-Hell--Mothers-Rallying-Against-Heroin-Epidemic/280855612

Heroin Action Coalition

http://heroinactioncoalition.com/

Heroin Action Coalition of Maryland

Mission Statement: Heroin Action Coalition of Maryland seeks to ensure that appropriate opiate addiction treatment is available to all who request it or need it without regard for that individual’s income or insurance plan.

Goals

Treatment:

• Provide pre-admission screening and referral for opiate addicts seeking detox and case management services following post inpatient treatment;
• Work to remove obstacles to medically assisted treatment, including buprenorphine and vivitrol, and assist patients in accessing and receiving these treatments;
• Link individuals in recovery from opiate addiction to programs in the community –facilitating wrap around services and ensuring a continuum of care;
• Organize support groups for those in recovery and their families.

Education

• Seek to educate local communities on addiction as both a medical disease and a mental health disorder and the effectiveness of treatment;
• Provide information to state and county legislators, agency administrators, judges, and others to educate them on opiate addiction and to urge them to support evidence-based treatment goals;
• Advise local, county, and state elected officials about unmet community needs regarding the continuum of care in addiction treatment;
• Disseminate evidence-based standards and best practices to Maryland treatment providers and gather data on patient outcomes and success rates;
• Disseminate information on drug addiction to local doctors and urge them to provide screening and brief intervention practices and to make appropriate recommendations for treatment when necessary;
• Work with Maryland Public Schools to implement the Americans With Disabilities Act (ADA) where it pertains to recovering students within their school community;
• Educate attorneys and public defenders on addiction and the effectiveness of treatment and urge them to recommend drug courts for their substance impaired clients, instead of incarceration.

Advocacy

• Build a coalition of concerned citizens, recovering individuals, their families, community leaders, spiritual advisors, business leaders, educators, medical practitioners, police, etc. to create a grass-roots solution to end opiate addiction within local communities;
• Work with other anti-drug coalitions within the state to strengthen the message of “treatment on demand” and to create a unified policy agenda in support of treatment;
• Focus public attention on the lack of adolescent treatment in Maryland and work to raise the priority for additional treatment facilities;
• Work with legislators, state agencies, and treatment providers to ensure that evidence-based standards and “best practices” are being implemented by all Maryland treatment providers and ensure enforcement of existing insurance parity laws.