Pubdate: Sun, 09 Sep 2012
Source: Martinsville Bulletin (VA)
Copyright: 2012 Martinsville Bulletin
Contact:  http://www.martinsvillebulletin.com/
Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/2003
Author: Ashley Jackson

FORMER ADDICT SPEAKS FROM EXPERIENCE

Boone offers advice on tackling substance abuse issues in area

Just because someone is a former felon or an addict doesn't mean that
their life will never be anything, Delbert Boone said at a Recovery
Day gathering Saturday.

Anyone can recover, he said, adding, "I'm living proof." Boone, a
motivational speaker who travels across the country talking about
overcoming addiction, spoke at Patrick Henry Community College on
Saturday as part of Recovery Day.

Recovery Day was hosted by the Community Recovery Program of Piedmont
Community Services and Drug Free Martinsville Henry County to mark
September as National Recovery Month. The day also celebrates those
recovering from alcohol and drug abuse and mental illness.

People "can recover and become productive members of society," said
Valerie Blevins, coordinator of Drug Free Martinsville Henry County.

Boone admitted to the crowd of about 50 people on Saturday that he
used to be an addict, was sent to the penitentiary four times and was
a 13-time convicted felon.

By the time he went to the penitentiary, he was homeless, his
utilities had been turned off and "I was living like a refugee," he
said.

But 34 years ago when he was in St. Louis, a group of people
intervened and got him help. He had believed there was nothing wrong
with him and people were just picking on him; that no one liked him
because he was black, or it was because he was from Detroit or they
just didn't understand him, he said.

But the group in St. Louis understood that he was an addict "and it's
a good thing they knew it when they saw it because they saved my
life," Boone said.

"They knew what was wrong with me ... and knew I could pull myself
together," he added.

When he started in recovery, he didn't want to hear anything about his
addiction and didn't want help. But "the more I listened, the clearer
it got" and now he can see the signs of addiction, he said.

While seeking sobriety, Boone kept being told to take one day at a
time and then watch life "open up in front of you," he said. At first
he didn't believe in that, but he decided to hang in there and slowly
but surely, his life started coming back together, he added.

Sixty years ago, people wouldn't admit to being a part of a recovery
group, but times have changed and people must "stand up and let the
world see us ... because seeing is believing," Boone said.

Those in recovery and the public must know that addiction is "not a
death sentence, not a moral weakness and not a character defect ...
it's a disease" and people can recover, he said.

Since being clean, he has been able to notice the signs of addiction.
He sees the signs in child abuse, homicides, copper pipe thefts,
traffic accidents and teen pregnancies - most are a result of someone
being under the influence of substances, he said.

"Addiction is dangerous" and no one should turn away from the signs,
but instead "look to what's going on," Boone said.

In today's society, the goal is to cut off the flow of drugs. In his
opinion, that will not solve the drug issue. The only way to confront
the issue is "to shut down the demand," Boone said. He discussed
components that he said could help tackle the substance abuse issue.
They are:

* Awareness. Boone noted how the number of smokers has decreased over
the years due to more advertisements and notices that raise aware of
the dangers of smoking. The same must be done with substance abuse, he
said.

* Education. The more people are educated on mental illness and
addiction, the more people will be able to identify the signs.
Children should be taught about substance abuse starting in
kindergarten because by "fifth grade, it's too late," he said. By the
time a child is six years old, he/she has already been bombarded by
alcohol advertisements so it could be "an accident waiting to happen,"
he added.

* Policies. Boone feels that a drug court should be established in the
area and a student assistance program should required in every school
system to intervene in mental health situations, he said.

* Identification and intervention. People should be educated on how to
identify the signs and once they see them, one should intervene and
get the person proper help before it is too late, he said. "Just
because you suffer from the illness doesn't mean it has to take you
out," he said.

* Referral. All communities need resources that help people to
recover. From what he has seen while visiting Martinsville last week,
the area has plenty of assistance available, he said.

* Statistics. It's important for agencies to keep proper records and
statistics to show the progress of those in recovery. The more
statistics, the more likely an agency is to receive grants, he said.

Also on Saturday at the event, singer Amanda Joyce performed and
motivational rapper Young Timothy performed. A balloon artist, face
painter and CHILL members also entertained children.

The Community Recovery Program works with people in early recovery
(three months clean of drugs and/or alcohol).

The staff assesses each individual's needs and develops a recovery
plan.

Plans include getting a job, getting involved in a 12-step program or
getting an education, according to Lisa Smith, program manager for the
Community Recovery Program.

With everyone, the main goal is to hold a stable job, and the program
partners with other area agencies to get people back into the
workforce, Smith said.

Drug Free Martinsville Henry County is a coalition of community
leaders and concerned citizens who work to come up with ways to rid
the area of the drug and alcohol problem, Smith said.
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MAP posted-by: Matt