A community conversation about stigma and recovery is set for 11 a.m. on Sunday, Sept. 29 at Holy Trinity of Oxford.
The community conversation is part of Talbot Goes Purple, a substance use prevention initiative that started in 2016 and quickly spread to half the counties in Maryland, and neighboring states. The movement focuses on preventing substance use in the youth through education and awareness, while also promoting the use of Naloxone to prevent opioid overdose deaths.
The event centers around an anti-stigma art project, ‘Stigma Highlighted,’ done in partnership with Talbot Goes Purple, Worcester Goes Purple and the Ocean City Art League that addresses negativity and bias toward people with substance use challenges. Intended as an informal community discussion, Talbot County Sheriff Joe Gamble will lead the conversation that also will include local people in recovery from substance use disorder.
“Part of our message with Talbot Goes Purple is for people to get the facts about substance use, which includes learning that people do recover,” said Talbot County Sheriff Joe Gamble, who founded Talbot Goes Purple in 2016. “We hope people will come out, join the conversation, and see what we as a community can do to support people in recovery.”
‘Stigma Highlighted’ includes 12 people in recovery who sat for portraits at Ocean City Art League and told their recovery stories, which became an interactive video exhibit. The exhibit has traveled to several high school schools across the Delmarva Peninsula; Salisbury University; and the National Institute for Drug Abuse. A copy currently displays at Grace Street, a recovery community organization in Easton. The exhibit will display at Holy Trinity during the event. Each portrait includes a scannable QR code that shows a two-minute clip of the person’s interview, which is part of a 15-minute documentary.
Stigma Highlighted challenges misconceptions toward people battling substance use disorder. More than 48 million Americans have a substance use disorder, yet only about 11% receive treatment. Stigma is a major barrier for people trying to overcome the challenges of addiction and overdose. Labeling, stereotyping and discrimination are all types of stigma that can damage the health and well-being of people with substance use disorder.
Communities can help combat stigma in many ways, including revising words and terms used to discuss substance use disorder; recognizing that treatment, including medications, works; learning about substance use disorder; and by promoting community spaces where people can recovery. The TGP event in Oxford helps dismantle stigma by highlighting personal stories, which show that people do recover.
Talbot Goes Purple is a substance use prevention program that empowers our youth and our community to ‘Go Purple’ as a sign of taking a stand against substance abuse. The initiative includes purple clubs in our local schools, through which students learn they do not need drugs or alcohol to meet life’s challenges. Talbot Goes Purple is in partnership with Talbot County Public Schools, Saints Peter and Paul Schools, and Mid-Shore Community Foundation.
For more information email [email protected]. Find TGP on Facebook @TalbotGoesPurple.
Talbot Goes Purple is a component fund of the Mid-Shore Community Foundation, a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization – donations to which are tax deductible to the fullest extent allowed by law.
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