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Petersburg, Virginia, came alive with hope and resilience on September 25, 2024, as the city celebrated National Substance Abuse Recovery Month with a resource fair at the public library. This impactful event brought together more than 15 vendors, providing vital resources for individuals battling substance abuse and their families.
WRIC ABC 8News reported that attendees included people at various stages of their recovery journeys, all united by the common goal of raising awareness about addiction and sharing personal stories. One of the event’s speakers, Brittany Ahrend, shared her powerful testimony of overcoming a 15-year struggle with alcoholism and prescription drug addiction. Reflecting on her journey, Ahrend expressed disbelief at her progress, stating, “If someone had told me a year ago that I’d be standing here today, I would have said, ‘I think you’re having a mental breakdown.’ My story is not like the ones you see in the movies. I died twice and came back to life — both times, obviously.”
Following Ahrend’s inspiring words, First Lady of Virginia Suzanne Youngkin and Petersburg Mayor Sam Parham addressed the crowd, offering encouragement to those still facing challenges with addiction. They announced on behalf of Governor Glenn Youngkin that September would be officially recognized as Recovery Month at the state level. The proclamation was met with enthusiastic applause, underscoring the community's desire for greater awareness and support for recovery efforts.
Ahrend emphasized the importance of open dialogue about addiction, stating, “If we keep talking about it, it gets it on people’s minds. It puts it in their mind that this is possible — recovery is possible.” This sentiment resonates deeply with the statistics shared by the Virginia Department of Health (VDH), which reported over 2,000 annual drug overdose deaths in the state, with approximately 80% involving fentanyl. However, there is a glimmer of hope; Suzanne Youngkin noted that these figures have seen a slight decline over the past two years.
Discussing potential factors contributing to this positive trend, Youngkin highlighted the increased availability of naloxone, a medication that can reverse opioid overdoses, along with enhanced public education about the dangers of substance use. In conjunction with Attorney General Jason Miyares, Youngkin recently launched a campaign titled “It Only Takes One,” aimed at reducing fentanyl overdoses. The campaign underscores the dire reality that even a single counterfeit pill or fentanyl-laced product can be fatal.
“However, it only takes one community event, one doctor, one family member, one caring individual to talk to those that they love about the dangers of fentanyl,” she emphasized, reinforcing the idea that collective efforts can make a significant difference.
As Petersburg's resource fair drew to a close, it was clear that the community's commitment to raising awareness and supporting recovery would continue long after Recovery Month ended. Events like these not only provide essential resources but also foster a culture of openness, acceptance, and hope, reminding everyone that recovery is indeed possible and that no one has to face their battles alone.
If you or your loved one are struggling with addiction, know that you are not alone and recovery is possible. Our caring and experienced staff at Avenues Recovery have helped thousands of people reach sobriety and they can help you too. Contact us today to begin your journey to recovery.