More than 150 runners pounded the pavement during the annual Freedom Run 5K at South Beach Park, to raise awareness and funds to support the substance abuse and prevention programs of the Substance Awareness Center of Indian River County.
Community partners turned out in a big way, with teams from the Source and the Drug and Mental Health Courts putting in the steps for recovery. Judges Nicole Menz and Robyn Stone ‘courted’ a friendly competition among individuals enrolled in specialty court programs that are designed to give offenders a second chance by providing them with the support needed to overcome their demons.
“The judges hosted training sessions, which not only helped physically prepare the participants but truly supports the aspects of recovery that the court program is trying to instill,” explained Carrie Maynard-Lester, SAC executive director.
SAC programs, offered regardless of an individual’s ability to pay, are aimed at reducing the impact of substance misuse and behavioral health disorders through prevention, education, treatment and recovery support.
The run brings the community together to “stand in solidarity around the issue. Our goal, ultimately, is to celebrate that this is one disease that is actually 100 percent preventable,” explained Maynard-Lester, adding that their programs are more needed now than ever before.
“We know that substance use disorders are a longtime problem society has faced. But we are really seeing an exponential increase in overdoses nationally. And here locally, our overdose rate and death rate have climbed to a 70 percent increase. Those overdoses are being fueled by illicit fentanyl laced in multiple substances of abuse.”
She said that in 2021, more than 100,000 Americans died from an overdose, a leading cause of death that surpasses that of motor vehicle accidents.
“One in seven Americans will struggle with a substance addiction in their lifetime, and one in two Americans report having a family member or friend who struggles with addiction,” said Maynard-Lester.
Although not often thought of as a substance addiction, she said alcohol is, by far, the most commonly abused substance.
“It is the No. 1 diagnosis, still, that we see coming through our doors for treatment among adults. Even though it is a legal substance, it is still a significant problem for many people,” said Maynard-Lester.
“Your presence here really honors any individual or family that’s been impacted by substance use. We all have struggles of different sorts in our lives. We want to celebrate the freedom that recovery can bring, whatever that recovery journey is. Particularly when it comes to substance use, it can be so devastating.”
Commenting that substance abuse and addiction begin as “a disease of adolescence,” she said their prevention programming is aimed at protecting those developing brains at the outset.
One of their relatively new programs is CRAFT for Family and Friends, a skills training initiative offered free of charge to the families, loved ones or friends of individuals struggling with a substance use disorder.
“It’s an evidence-based intervention. If you learn these set of skills, your loved one is 70 percent more likely to go to treatment and stay in treatment,” she explained.
SAC also provides free Narcan kits (an overdose reversal medication) and training on its usage.
The public is invited to attend a Town Hall meeting on alcohol and substance use among teens on Nov. 9 from 6 p.m. to 8 p.m. at the Heritage Center.
For more information, visit sacirc.org.
Photos by Joshua Kodis
