Recovery Corner

Guests Dnechelle Pascol & Christopher Raeford   It’s an unfortunate truth that BIPOC communities are at a disadvantage when it comes to substance use disorder and the recovery from it. People of color are disproportionately affected by drug policies and drug laws. Not only have strict drug laws from the War on Drugs targeted Black offenders, but it aided in creating harmful stereotypes surrounding Black populations. Those most impacted by prison sentences and racial stereotypes were Black people who engaged in drug use and distribution. As a result of harmful stereotyping, more Black people have been incarcerated for drug possession and distribution compared to their White counterparts. Dnechelle and Christopher joined us to elaborate on this discussion and share what they have experienced and witnessed in their communities.    YPR Baltimore, MD: https://www.facebook.com/groups/yprbaltimoremd  YPR Defiance, OH: https://www.facebook.com/groups/880032219365596

Guest: Julia Pratt

Finding recovery is challenging at any age. It can be especially difficult for young people. At a time in life where many of our peers are experimenting with substances, how does one recognize that it’s time to make a change?

Julia Pratt is a young singer/songwriter who made the decision at 19 years old to find the courage and strength to say “enough is enough!” In her adolescent years, a number of difficult events took place in Julia’s life that led her toward substance use to help numb the pain After years of repressing her pain and hiding it from her loved ones, Julia found herself unable to recognize herself. Shedecided to reclaim her life and take the necessary steps toward improving her health and wellness. Since then, Julia has been empowered to use her voice to share her experiences. Some of the most beautiful things can be created out of pain, and Julia’s music is proof of this!

https://open.spotify.com/artist/0F9yMp30FUREoa635VLsY8?si=NbYKgYNSRW2mZahczc-TGQ

InstaGram: @juliaprattmusic

Everything changes the moment we decide to embrace a life of recovery. We finally have the ability to explore our authentic selves and decide how we want to shape our futures. For Thomas Guerra, his recovery helped him tap into a passion to help others get acquainted with themselves and build support within the community to encourage them to do so. Thomas opened The Miami Recovery Project (MRP) in April of 2020 and is bringing a fresh approach to the recovery scene in South Florida. MRP is inspiring artists in recovery to elevate the conversation such as David Enrique. David is delivering all that Miami heat through his music and even created a theme song to celebrate recovery and share his experience with style and flow.

https://miamirecoveryproject.org/

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1BusOXtdQxQ&t=4s

Featuring - Tara Moseley Hyde, Reneisha Rudder, Danielle Durkin

Show Notes

How do we make our communities recovery ready? We advocate for the necessary resources individuals need in order to enter into sustainable paths of recovery. American University Graduates Tara, Renisha and Danielle joined us to highlight the importance of building up the 8 pillars of YPR’s Recovery Ready Blueprint in our communities so everyone has access to the resources they need to improve their health and wellness and live self-directed lives.

https://youngpeopleinrecovery.org/advocacy/

https://youngpeopleinrecovery.org/wp-content/uploads/2021/09/RRC-Blueprint_AU-Capstone.pdf

Featuring - Jesse Haner

Show Notes

Jesse opens up about having many attempts at recovery which always seemed to inevitably circle back to substance use and downfall. Always trying to fit in and searching for a place to belong, while living fast with drugs and criminal behavior it always seemed to be the route toward acceptance for Jesse. For many, that path often leads down a road of addiction, emptiness, and homelessness.

In time, Jesse found his path to recovery through his faith in God. Today, “Coach Jesse”  is a prominent member of his community and beacon of hope. He has found a place to fit in as a youth mentor, a drug and alcohol counselor, and leader for the Sacramento Young People in Recovery Chapter who uses his experiences and voice to influence legislation in his state of California.

Though Jesse has had many ups and downs he continues to believe that if you don't quit you win. He says that's true on the football field, that's true in recovery, and that's true in life. Don't quit!

https://www.dreamcenter.org/

Guest: Garett Dickinson

Show Notes

Recovery: A process of change through which individuals improve their health and wellness, live a self-directed life, and strive to reach their full potential. Recovery is not defined by any particular pathway. It is not up to anyone but the individual themself to determine how they get there.Garett has been free of substances for 7 years by taking a self-directed path. After exploring some alternative routes, he was not drawn to the traditional avenues offered in his community.

Learning more about his personal interest and exploring what the world has to offer beyond his previous lifestyle has helped him to sustain a life in recovery.

Today he is not confined to a world where he is identified by his relationship to alcohol and other drugs. Today he is a climber, a writer, and a creative.

IG: @thehuman_genome

FB: Garett Dickinson

Links:

https://www.durangosaso.org/

Guest: Nathan Smiddy AKA Narcan Nate

Show Notes

Meet them where they are, not where you want them to be. Former opioid user turned full throttle harm reduction activist Nathan Smiddy shares how he has become Narcan Nate and is now a household name in the recovery community of North County San Diego. Through recovery, he has found purpose in his passion and takes to the streets daily to ensure that everyone he encounters is equipped with knowledge and tools such as Narcan and fentanyl testing strips to survive another day until they are ready for recovery themselves.

Links:

https://www.anewpath.org/

Instagram: @narcan_nate @newpathnarcanproject

Guest: Donald Davis

Show Notes

“I got into harm reduction to enable people who use drugs. I enable them to protect themselves and their communities, to feel like they have someone to talk to. I enable them to ask for help and help others in turn. I enable them to find treatment options, reconnect with their families and rebuild their lives. If that makes me an enabler, I am proud to claim that term.”

Harm reduction is not about celebrating drug use, it is about humanizing drug users and keeping them alive while they navigate toward recovery. It is about protecting communities from the negative impacts associated with unsafe drug use practices.

Donald Davis is a former IV drug user and current person in sustained long term recovery. He is the Executive Director of the Kentucky Harm Reduction Coalition and has a wealth of knowledge on the subject after working in the field for over 25 years. He shares how harm reduction services helped him find his path to recovery and how this path can be the beginning to positive changes for many individuals struggling with substance use and their communities.

Links:

https://kyhrc.org/

Instagram: @kentuckyharmreductioncoalition

FaceBook: Kentucky Harm Reduction Coalition

Guest: Nathan Smiddy AKA Narcan Nate

Show Notes

Meet them where they are, not where you want them to be. Former opioid user turned full throttle harm reduction activist, Nathan Smiddy shares how he has become Narcan Nate and is now a household name in the recovery community of North County San Diego. Through recovery, he has found purpose in his passion and takes to the streets daily to ensure that everyone he encounters is equipped with knowledge and tools such as Narcan and fentanyl testing strips to survive another day until they are ready for recovery themselves.

Guest: Julie Salter

Show Notes:

At the age of 23, Julie had racked up a string of felony charges and was facing 7 years in prison. After being presented with a restorative justice opportunity, she found strength in her hope to choose a different life for herself. Sometimes hope is all we have to hold onto and often that is more than enough. When hope is powered by action, we find the ability to change our stars and Julie began taking the necessary steps towards becoming the woman she knew she was capable of becoming. Today, her focus is on health and empowerment for herself and for others as well.

Links:

IG: @julie_salter