Faith groups, community work to normalize conversations about substance abuse, addiction
A local ministry director opens her presentations with one sentence designed to make people feel more comfortable talking about substance abuse and alcohol addiction.
"There are no perfect families," Veola Bray, St. John Missionary Baptist Church's family support ministry leader, said recently.
"That's what I tell people and that seems to help them, particularly in a church setting. Some people say they identify with it but a lot of times, nobody wants to talk about it."
Bray and St. John have teamed up with the Oklahoma Faith Network to host a community event on Aug. 30 in conjunction with International Overdose Awareness Day. The International Overdose Awareness Day Informational Session is set for 6:30 p.m. Wednesday at the church, 5700 N Kelley. The special day of awareness is officially Aug. 31.
Michael Owens with the Oklahoma Faith Network, formerly the Oklahoma Conference of Churches, said overdose awareness day is a time to bring members of the community together for inspiration, education and support.
More: How a new Oklahoma program aims to combat fentanyl overdoses in the state
Bray said education and support are critical, particularly because of the prevalence of fentanyl, a synthetic opioid.
"We're in a whole new ballgame with fentanyl being put in everything," she said.
Bonnie Campo, spokeswoman for the Oklahoma Department of Mental Health and Substance Abuse, agreed. Fentanyl, she said, is up to 50 times stronger than heroin and 100 times stronger than morphine. And, it is a major contributor to fatal and nonfatal overdoses in the United States.
Bray said she tries to let people know that addiction touches many individuals and families in the community and it is OK to talk about it.
"It's still a no-no in the church to talk about it, but people still need the help," Bray said.
Porsha Burden, community and social action ministry leader at Northeast Missionary Baptist Church, said her church received a 2022 grant from the Oklahoma Faith Network that is being used for ministry work in the area of substance use education and her group has also developed a training program focusing on behavioral health.
Like Bray, she said people don't always like to discuss such issues, but "we have to do better at normalizing those conversations."
International Overdose Awareness Day
International Overdose Awareness Day is Aug. 31, and several community organizations are hosting related events open to the general public. Here are several community activities planned in conjunction with the special day:
International Overdose Awareness Day informational Session, 6:30 p.m. Aug. 30, St. John Missionary Baptist Church, 5700 N Kelley, speakers, community resources.
International Overdose Awareness Day-OKC, 7 p.m. Aug. 31, Love's Stage at Scissortail Park, 300 SW 7, speakers, event will end with walk to Skydance Bridge in memory of all lives lost to addiction, sponsored by nonprofit FATE ― Fighting Addiction Through Education. Information: https://www.facebook.com/events/s/international-overdose-awarene/137642442677632/.
Trust Women-OKC/Shred the Stigma Barbecue and Overdose Awareness event, 11:30 a.m. Aug. 31, Trust Women parking lot, 1240 SW 44, hot dogs and vegan options, moment of remembrance, resources from community partners, syringe disposal. Information: drew@shredthestigmaok.org; https://www.facebook.com/SHREDtheStigmaOK/.
For related information and resources, go to the Oklahoma Department of Mental Health and Substance Abuse's "OK I'm Ready" website at https://okimready.org/.
This article originally appeared on Oklahoman: Groups will host International Overdose Awareness Day events in OKC
