Around Town

Forum This Week Focuses on the Opiates Crisis, Recovery and Prevention

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The opioids crisis is a growing crisis, and the WATERtown Task Force on Substance Abuse will sponsor a forum about addiction and recovery in September. The number of opioid-related fatal and non-fatal overdose rates are higher thus far in 2016 compared to 2015, said Deborah Rosati, director of the Watertown Health Department. “Educating the entire community about this significant public health issue is critical,” Rosati said. “There will be information for everyone (at the event).” There will be speaker presentations as well as on our resource tables which will have flyers and brochures on proper prescription medication disposal, substance use prevention information for parents, naloxone information and vouchers, and intervention, treatment and recovery information.

Addiction

Local Man Creates Running Group to Help Addicts in Recovery

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In recovery from an opiates addiction and sober for over 40 years, Mike Ferullo is a man dedicated to his belief in the power of embracing wellness in recovery. He discovered running on his own journey to wellness and recovery and has been running ever since.  

Running has been a healthy way for him to exercise not only physically but also a way to train his mind to stay positive. As a clinical social worker, Ferullo has counseled countless addicts over the years to replace their addictions with a better kind of high – a healthy runner’s high. He also started running club for those recovering from addiction – the Boston Bulldogs – which is hosting a 5K Run for Recovery and a Vigil on May 22.

Around Town

Contest for Name, Logo for Cable Show by Overcoming Addiction Groups

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Watertown Overcoming Addiction and Belmont Overcoming Addiction need your help! We have teamed together to help raise more awareness, education, support and hope for those suffering from Substance Use Disorder and for their loved ones. We will bring these efforts forward with a new cable show addressing this crisis. We are asking Belmont and Watertown High School students to come up with 1) a name for the show; and 2) a logo for the show. Both should communicate the challenges of Substance Use Disorder and recovery for the individual and their loved ones.

Around Town

Panel: Tough Love Can Help Addict Come to Grips with Their Illness

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Addiction to heroin and other opioids has risen in New England, and with tragic results, including in Watertown. Thursday night, a panel of people looking to help people overcome substance abuse shared their knowledge, including one sentiment that all agreed – tough parenting can help addicts get the treatment they need. Those who attended the event, “Watertown Community Drug Education,”at Watertown Middle School, heard powerful personal testimonies of those who have overcome addition and parents of addicts in recovery. Watertown resident Chris Thigpen, and Northeast Region business development director for the Benchmark Recovery Center, organized the event to share his knowledge as an addict in longterm recovery about what it takes to overcome addition. Opioid addiction has risen at an alarming race in Watertown, with fatal consequences, said Watertown Police Lt. Daniel Unsworth.