At its annual Freedom 5K Run & Walk, held again this year at South Beach Park, the highly accredited Substance Awareness Center of Indian River County celebrated the freedoms achieved when people are able to recover from substance use disorders.

Vero Beach Police Chief Currey, SAC board chair, led the welcome, highlighting the important role SAC plays in our community through its efforts to reduce substance misuse and behavioral health disorders via its prevention, education, treatment and recovery support programs.

“Last year over 110,000 Americans lost their lives to an overdose, and nationally 1 in 2 Americans said they have a family member or friend who struggles with substance use,” said Carrie Lester, SAC executive director, thanking the sponsors, 220 participants and 40 volunteers for doing their part to change that statistic.

“We all struggle with something in our lives. So let’s go out there and have fun and celebrate the freedoms that we have today,” she added.

Through its Prevention Works programs, SAC provides an evidenced-based prevention curriculum to all public middle school students, with additional programs for fifth- and ninth-graders.

Recovery Works offers day treatment and outpatient substance abuse programs, and an assistance program consisting of housing, counseling, drug testing and recovery support.

The Substance Awareness Center also initiated the SAFIR (Substance Awareness Free Indian River) Coalition, collaborating with service providers, government agencies, educators, religious leaders, law enforcement and businesses to guide the community toward a safer, substance-free environment. Particular attention is directed toward reducing the use of alcohol, drugs, cigarettes and vaping among students by promoting alternative activities and by educating parents about their usage.

In recognition of their work, SAC was recently awarded a Partnership for Success Grant from the Substance Abuse Mental Health Services Administration, an agency of the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, to “help reduce the onset and progression of substance misuse and its related problems.”

The grant, $375,000 per year over the next five years, will enable SAC to further its work collaborating with community partners to combat opioid misuse, vaping and binge drinking, as well as promoting mental health and trauma-informed care.

“We are committed to working collaboratively with our partners to create lasting change,” said Lester, who expressed gratitude for the grant, which will enable them to address the issues locally.

For more information, visit SACIRC.org or call 772-770-4811.

Photos by Joshua Kodis