Regional faith-based network meeting to take place in Elizabethton

Published 5:11 pm Tuesday, March 14, 2017

Struggling with addiction is a serious situation.
The severity has been noted nationwide, including the state of Tennessee. The Tennessee Department of Mental Health & Substance Abuse Services is currently working on building a recovery network comprised of citizens looking to assist with battling the afflictions.
Following different meetings taking place all across Northeast Tennessee, Carter County will host a Northeast Tennessee Faith-Based Recovery Network meeting on Monday, April 3, from 4:30 to 7:30 p.m. at West Side Christian Church. The event is free of charge to the public.
April’s event is hosted by Insight Alliance, based out of Washington County, and is a way to help rid the stigma with addiction according to Jason Abernathy.
Abernathy is involved with Insight and serves as Lifeline Coordinator — a program in place that sees the coordinator visit each of the eight counties in Northeast Tennessee to help raise awareness about addiction.
“The focus of these meetings is stress the importance of a faith-based network to help with addiction,” Abernathy said.
Faith-based initiatives are an avenue the state has ramped up focus on. Monty Burks, director of faith-based initiatives with the state, will be one of the guest speakers for Monday’s session.
The state is encouraging various churches, organizations and individuals to come together to join the network to help provide outlets for those battling with addiction.
“Our goal is to get rid of the stigma that comes with addiction,” Abernathy said. “The first step is to talk about it. Churches are normally where you see 12 step programs being held. Our goal with the network is for the region to come together to help those going through problems. If one area doesn’t have a church or meeting place, they can go through the network and find the best place for a person to go. We want to continue building up these partnerships.”
Churches looking to take part in the network have the opportunity to become a Certified Recovery Church, an opportunity to receive materials to help members of the public going through addiction.
Abernathy also praised the effort by the state to help combat addiction with multiple avenues, including faith-based activities.
“At one point, Tennessee was number two, behind Alabama, for abuse of prescription drug abuse,” he said. “This isn’t an issue just for Carter County, it is statewide. One of the best things is the state is looking at different avenues to combat addiction, including the faith-based network. There’s been a lot of progress by the state.”
The coordinator also praised the effort of programs going on in Carter County. In the span of under two years, a drug prevention coalition was established within the county. Along with prevention, the growth of Recovery Soldiers Ministries and the recent opening of the First Judicial District Felony Recovery Court shows steps are being made in the right direction.
“It’s a great start,” Abernathy said. “The coalition addresses prevention and is geared toward the youth. Then you have the other programs that are helping with people battling addiction and problems.”
Church, community leaders and other members of the public are encouraged to attend the meeting. Registration for the event can be accessed by visiting insightalliance.org and by clicking the “Register Now on Eventbrite”.

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