In 1989, the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA) launched National Recovery Month to increase awareness surrounding mental health and substance use. SAMHSA also wanted to celebrate success stories to show that living in recovery from substance use is possible.

Sally J. Finn, who was working at a needle and syringe exchange program at The Salvation Army in Melbourne, Australia, founded International Overdose Awareness Day in 2001. The day provides an opportunity for people to publicly mourn loved ones impacted by overdose; to stimulate discussion about overdose prevention and drug policy; and to inform people about substance use support services.

Community events scheduled for Madison, St. Clair, Bond, and Clinton Counties

August 31 – Public education and NARCAN^® distribution at the Belleville MetroLink station. NARCAN reverses the effects of opioid overdose. A person does not have to be a medical professional to administer it. This project is in cooperation with the St. Clair County Transit District. SCCTD and Chestnut partner to address challenging behaviors – many of them related to mental health conditions or substance use – by some transit system riders.

August 31 – Distribution of NARCAN^® and fentanyl testing strips, education about both, and Medication Assisted Recovery (MAR) walk-in appointments at Chestnut Family Health Center, 50 Northgate Industrial Drive, Granite City. Fentanyl testing strips are a harm reduction technique to reduce the risk of fatal overdose. Treatment professionals consider MAR to be the gold standard in addiction treatment. Patients benefit from medication that reduces drug cravings and lessens withdrawal symptoms as well as from counseling. Both are crucial to achieving and maintaining recovery.

August 31 – Overdose awareness event in Bond County. Location: Courthouse lawn – 200 W. College Avenue in Greenville. Hours – 6 p.m. – 8 p.m. Guest speakers, remembrances of those lost to overdose. Co-sponsor: Bond County Recovery Council.

September 1 – Overdose awareness event in Clinton County. Location: Breese Northside Park main pavilion. Hours: 6 p.m. – 8 p.m. Education, awareness-raising, and remembrances of those lost to overdose. Co-sponsor: Take Action Coalition of Clinton County.

*September 1-10 – Donation of children’s and adult books on recovery to libraries in Madison, St. Clair, Bond, and Clinton Counties. The libraries will display resources about mental health, substance use, and where to get NARCAN.

*September 11 – Rockin’ for Recovery at Bethalto Park. Amare serves as the event organizer. Chestnut is a sponsor. They will be on-site with resources and will distribute Narcan.

*September 19 – Faith Community partnership. Includes distribution of information for area church bulletins and acknowledgment of individuals who use substances or are seeking/maintaining recovery.

*September 23 – Facebook Live panel discussion about substance use and recovery from the perspectives of a parent, a person in recovery, and a treatment provider. Time: 7:00 p.m. – 8:00 p.m.

*Co-sponsored by the Metro-East and Bond County Recovery Councils and by the Take Action Coalition of Clinton County.

At Chestnut Health Systems™, we know that seeking treatment for yourself or a loved one can be difficult. We recognize the challenge of finding quality addiction treatment for adolescents and adults. We will help you and your loved ones through every stage of treatment including assessment, understanding treatment recommendations, navigating financial concerns, providing family support, and creating aftercare plans.

We are committed to the highest standards of professional excellence. Our providers work as a team to create a treatment plan unique to each individual. Chestnut provides treatment for addiction and for mental health issues, which is important as the two often go hand-in-hand.

For more information, please call us at 888.924.3786. For Madison and St. Clair Counties and for the Metro East area, call 618.877.4420.