Page 13 - The Wayne Dispatch

Strong communities make for strong recovery

By Carolyn Marnon recovery-oriented organizations have
National Recovery Month is a na- also played an essential role in
tional observance held every Septem- states, cities, towns, and neighbor-
ber to educate Americans that hoods to help countless people start
substance use treatment and mental and sustain their recovery.”
health services can enable those with
a mental and/or substance use disor- Also, “Strong communities make
der to live a healthy and rewarding for strong recovery. Community
life. members—including families, neigh-
Tony Perry has been on recovery bors, employers, educators, charita-
road for the past 10 ½ years. Born ble organizations, and faith-based
and raised in Westland, he struggled institutions— are the backbone of
with ADHD (Attention-Deficit/Hyper- communities that foster recovery
activity Disorder), dyslexia and slow- among its residents. Research shows
learning. Addicted to drugs since the that peer support services can pro-
age of 15, he sold drugs and became vide a valuable approach to guide in-
caught up in the system. He’s had dividuals as they work to maintain
his home raided and been convicted recovery.”
of felonies. Helping others in recovery is
When he got off probation for his what helps Tony. “It’s a daily
felonies, Tony says he was a dope process,” he says, “but it can be
fiend who had lost everything. His done.” His advice for others who
dad had been killed by a drunk want to recover? “Go to meetings
driver when Tony was 19. He had no and listen to those who’ve been
friends. No one wanted to hang around for awhile. Take that energy
around him. He says he wanted to you used to get high and put that en-
die. While sitting in his father’s base- ergy into recovery.”
ment, “I felt like I had no option to Tony says there is a recovery
live.” He tried to kill himself while meeting every Monday evening at
telling God he couldn’t live like this 6:30 p.m. at CrossPointe Commu-
anymore. “It didn’t work,” he says. nity Church, 36125 Glenwood Rd,
His family found him, and his life Wayne. All are welcome to attend.
changed. Find alcohol, drug, or mental
Tony went to church, got saved, health treatment facilities and pro-
and started the 12-step program at grams around the country at find-
the church. Now he does community treatment.samhsa.gov.
service with the Saved by Grace min- Find information on locating
istry at CrossPointe Community practitioners and treatment pro-
Church in Wayne. This ministry ex- grams authorized to treat opioids,
ists to help those who are seeking such as heroin or prescription pain
God’s help in ridding their lives of Tony Perry has been in recovery for over 10 years. He says his life has changed sig- relievers, at www.samhsa.gov/med-
addiction and drawing closer to Him. ication-assisted-treatment/pract-
Westland Youth Assistance Exec- nificantly since he made the decision to leave a life of drugs behind. itioner-program-data/treatment-prac
utive Director Paul Motz says Tony pactful manner. He speaks of help gether We Are Stronger, emphasizes titioner-locator.
was “awarded the Spirit of Giving being available and most impor- the need to share resources and Find treatment programs in your
Award for his willingness to share tantly of hope. He encourages our build networks across the country to state that treat recent onset of seri-
his story with our program partici- young people to take advantage of support the many paths to recovery. ous mental illnesses such as psy-
pants.” Motz went on to say “Tony opportunities that he did not have It reminds us that mental and sub- chosis, schizophrenia, bi-polar
had a difficult childhood to say the when he was young. Tony is a giving stance use disorders affect all of us disorder, and other conditions at
least. Like many victims of trauma, young man with a huge heart. He is and that we are all part of the solu- www.samhsa.gov/esmi-treatment-
Tony coped by engaging in reckless a good friend that you can count on tion. The Recovery Month obser- locator.
behaviors. His choices created dan- and has been a tremendous asset to vance will highlight inspiring stories 1-800-662-HELP (4357)
gerous situations for himself and for the Westland Youth Assistance Pro- to help thousands of people from all TTY: 1-800-487-4889
others. He eventually reached a point gram.” walks of life find the path to hope, Website: www.samhsa.gov/find-
of deciding to live or not. He chose to Tony also gives back to the com- health, and overall wellness. During help/national-helpline
live. He also chose to help others and munity by his outreach work in the the 30th anniversary of Recovery Also known as, the Treatment Re-
he has done so successfully. He has Norwayne community. In the span of Month, communities across the na- ferral Routing Service, this Helpline
been a phenomenal speaker for our 10 years, he has married, has two tion will reflect on their positive provides 24-hour free and confiden-
at-risk youth and their families. He children and a house. strides and their plans to make re- tial treatment referral and informa-
speaks approximately six-eight times According to recoverymonth.gov, covery support services more acces- tion about mental and/or substance
per year sharing his vulnerabilities “The 2019 Recovery Month theme, sible so people can live meaningful use disorders, prevention, and recov-
and road to recovery in a very im- Join the Voices for Recovery: To- and productive lives. Over the years, ery in English and Spanish.
The Wayne Dispatch · September 2019 · 13