MORIAH — Hunter Way Farm hosted the Moriah community for their first ever Recovery Day event Saturday to celebrate substance abuse disorder recovery with food, music, yard games, pumpkin decorating and more.
“Today we are celebrating those in recovery. Those in it, just starting it or anyone anywhere on their journey,” said Linda Beers, Director of Public Health for Essex County.
The primary goal of the event was to bring the community together to celebrate and destigmatize recovery.
BRING THE COMMUNITY TOGETHER
“It’s no secret addiction is a huge issue, not only in the North Country but here in Moriah,” Town of Moriah Town Supervisor Matt Brassard said.
“There is a massive stigma around it, even those who have recovered. You mention that someone is a recovered addict and people with the wrong mindset will judge them or talk about them differently.”
Kristy Sprague, the District Attorney of Essex County, emphasized the event’s purpose highlighting the need for inclusivity.
“The goal of this event is to bring the community together, and to celebrate those in recovery,” she said.
“It’s not only for people in recovery, but the families too, many of whom may have or know someone in recovery.”
BREAKING THE STIGMA
According to Sprague, phrases like “addiction,” and “recovery,” still hold negative connotations for some.
“Once you say the words ‘addiction,’ or ‘recovery,’ people tend to steer clear of the conversation,” she said.
“So we hope to really break down the negative connotations associated with these phrases.”
A popular misconception about people suffering an addiction is that they brought it upon themselves.
“Some people are quick to say ‘oh they chose to inject,’ or ‘they decided to keep going,’ but they don’t realize how much addiction can affect that,” Brassard said.
“Even cigarettes, something that might not be as scary as heroin with fentanyl in it, are almost impossible to quit for some people.”
He added that: “To quit is an amazing thing.”
TALKING OPENLY
Officials explained that events like this serve the community by creating a safe space for those discussions.
“This is important because, whenever we celebrate something, when we talk openly about it, we normalize it, we make it more normal,” Beers said.
“And there are lots of folks who need recovery and we want to welcome everyone to start their journey.”
It can also be a good place to get children involved in the discussion.
“There is a long history and culture of people needing ways to cope and deal with stressful environments,” said Traci Ploufe, executive director of The Prevention Team.
According to Ploufe, kids make up about 30% of the population in Essex County, “but they make up 100% of our future.”
The Prevention Team focuses on connecting with children, schools and parents to reduce the risk factors for youth that are predictive of involvement in high-risk behaviors, including substance abuse.
“We address the kids and their stressors to build trusting relationships,” Ploufe said.
Local organizations came together to play games, offer information and resources to the community, including the Upstate New York Poison Center, Peter Young Baywood Center Outpatient Clinic, Essex County Mental Health, Elizabethtown Community Hospital, Building Resistance in Essex Families (BRIEF), New York State Police and the Fire Department brought a few trucks for the kids to see up-close.
“The community organizations are here dedicating their time and resources to help put this together,” Sprague said.
“To make sure people in recovery know they are not alone.”
The information provided by these organizations are intended to spread awareness and access to resources for those in need.
“Linda, her team and the other organizations, I cannot thank them enough for picking Moriah to do this,” Brassard said.
“Overall it’s a nice thing, without their people, something like this would never happen.”