Warren County’s first Recovery Fest takes place Friday, a chance for mental health professionals to reach community members struggling with addiction.
Drug Counselor Darla DeLeon said she hopes the event will show those struggling through addiction that hope is possible. DeLeon said one in three families are affected by addiction in the county.
“Warren County has, for years, seen epidemic proportions in opioid and methamphetamine use among the community that, of the people who live here,” DeLeon said. “It has been very detrimental on the community as a whole, as well as on the families.”
DeLeon said the event helps everyone in the community understand that addiction does not have to be an end. DeLeon said she wants to raise awareness of a problem that has devastated the community.
“They are participating in work and they’re paying their taxes,” DeLeon said “They are getting their kids back. They are you know, being productive members of society. We need to celebrate those people because we can show those who are not out of addiction yet that recovery is possible.”
DeLeon said addiction affects everybody as one in three people have someone close to them, or they themselves, use an addictive substance.
The impacts can also be felt through relationships. DeLeon said children most often face harm from dynamics gone wrong because of addiction.
“It creates a ripple effect through the families because if an individual is using they don’t realize how they affect their family,” DeLeon said. “They affect their family financially, spiritually, emotionally, mentally, in all dynamics of life.”
When a parent is using, often the child lives in an unsafe environment or no longer lives with parents, both issues. DeLeon said when a child is raised outside the home or away from the parent, the impact on that child can be significant.
“Siblings who are also affected by the drug use,” DeLeon said. “Because again the sibling might be sitting over here you know feeling invisible because the parents, all of their energy is focused on getting their one child who’s using better.”
Warren County Prevention and Intervention Coalition will sponsor Saturday’s event, from 11am to 3pm at the Freedom Life Church on Smithville Hwy. DeLeon said community resources will be on display. Those in recovery will also share testimonials about how they have battled addiction.
DeLeon serves as the co-founder and CEO of Steered Straight. She is a licensed alcohol and drug counselor. The organization speaks to school-children about drug addiction.
