I was at work and as usual, we were very busy on the unit. I work in a program named Miracles in Progress. It is for unhoused men challenged by life adversities. I received a call on June 26, 2021, from my niece. They told me that Ty was in the emergency room. He had stopped breathing.  My heart raced. I immediately left work and caught the bus, switched to the train, and got off at the transportation center and raced for six minutes to get to the hospital's ER. [...]

Addiction is such a stigmatized topic – yet people are so uninformed about it. Most of us were taught that “drugs are bad,” but that is about the most education we get or tend to remember. I am here to discuss the concept of the disease of addiction which goes far beyond the common stigmas about who “addicts” are. Yes, addiction is a disease due to the fact it is ongoing, not curable (only treatable), and a condition associated with signs and symptoms.  Just like other diseases, it may run [...]

As we come to the close of Recovery Month, it has become ever clearer how fitting this year’s theme was: Recovery is for Everyone: Every Individual, Every Family, Every Community. As the executive director of The Council of Southeast PA and PRO-ACT, I have the privilege of hearing so many recovery stories and, this year in particular, the truth of that statement is powerful. Knowing how important gratitude is to recovery, I would like to acknowledge and share deep appreciation for those who worked tirelessly to ensure our region has [...]