Thursday March 24, 2016 Siena Heights University Hosted an Addiction Summit. Many speakers from around the community spoke at this event including: Michigan’s Congressional Representative Tim Walberg, Prosecutor Burke Castleberry,and former addicts Chris Risner and Tim Ryan. Additionally representatives from the Adrian police department and courthouse as well as Halo and 12 Step Speakers. As an added bonus, Adrian High School (AHS) very own John Birdwell spoke along with members of the SADD club. The hall was packed with only standing room left.
A few addicts spoke about their addiction and recovery;y describing the hardship and fight it took every day to remain sober. Furthermore, relating how their addiction affected the people around them, their families and friends, and the amount of time it took to realize they even had a problem. Their stories had an impact on many AHS students.
Representatives from the justice department brought to light the difficulties of help addicts get into recovery programs. Officers and judges stated that they are understaffed but are trying to aid the drug addicts. A doctor discussed the lack of power and series of steps that doctors can perform for people withdrawing from drugs. As doctors are limited to giving addicts something to ease the pain and send them home; nothing else.
The Drug Summit was amazing and powerful. People walked out with more understanding and information about addiction than what they walked in with. Way to go Siena...helping the community through providing information!
By: Alexia Ferguson
A few addicts spoke about their addiction and recovery;y describing the hardship and fight it took every day to remain sober. Furthermore, relating how their addiction affected the people around them, their families and friends, and the amount of time it took to realize they even had a problem. Their stories had an impact on many AHS students.
Representatives from the justice department brought to light the difficulties of help addicts get into recovery programs. Officers and judges stated that they are understaffed but are trying to aid the drug addicts. A doctor discussed the lack of power and series of steps that doctors can perform for people withdrawing from drugs. As doctors are limited to giving addicts something to ease the pain and send them home; nothing else.
The Drug Summit was amazing and powerful. People walked out with more understanding and information about addiction than what they walked in with. Way to go Siena...helping the community through providing information!
By: Alexia Ferguson