Film Screening Explores Addiction
Posted for Walden Behavioral Health
Walden and Farming 4 Hunger have teamed up to organize a local event on International Overdose Awareness Day on Aug. 31, in hopes of putting a stop to the increasing number of Southern Maryland families that have been affected by opiate addiction. The two groups will host a screening and discussion of the film “The Hungry Heart” from 6 to 8:30 pm that day.
The film tells the stories of people addicted to opiates, as well as the stories of those in recovery. It explores the power of medicine, conversation and compassion in addressing the issue. After the film, participants will discuss the film and issues that have come up in this region.
For more information on the film, please visit thehungryheartmovie.org.
Walden’s statistics bear out the presence of opiate addiction in Southern Maryland: in 2014, the Anchor Detox Inpatient Program of Walden served 809 people from the tri-county region. About 51 percent of all admissions were of opiate addicted persons with the primary group impacted 18-30 year olds. This data represents the highest number of yearly requests for opiate/heroin addiction since Anchor opened in 1999.
International Overdose Awareness Day (IOAD) is a global event held on Aug. 31st each year and aims to raise awareness of overdose and reduce the stigma of a drug-related death. It also acknowledges the grief felt by families and friends remembering those who have met with death or permanent injury as a result of drug overdose. For more information on IOAD, please click here.
“We hope that the Hungry Heart film screening and discussion will be a forum for remembering those lost as well as help those still struggling,” said Laura Webb, director of Recovery Support. Silver ribbons to honor those lost to overdose will be distributed at the event.
Admission to this local International Overdose Awareness Day event is free. The Farming 4 Hunger site is located at 6932 Serenity Farm Road in Hughesville. More information is located at www.facebook.com/events/403753273154313/ and at waldensierra.org. Interested community members may also contact Ms. Webb at 301-997-1300 x 804 or 301-751-7258. You can also e-mail us at [email protected].
