| SPSARV to Launch Yearlong Global Awareness Campaign to Fight Substance Abuse and Related Violence | |||||||||||
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New York, August 24, 2009--The United Methodist Special Program on Substance Abuse and Related Violence (SPSARV), a denomination-wide initiative that addresses alcohol, other drugs and related violence concerns, will launch in September a yearlong global awareness campaign aimed at motivating church leaders to effectively respond to substance abuse issues in their congregations and communities. National Recovery Month, an annual US observance in September, will serve as a catalyst to kick off a global campaign to inform, equip, and spur United Methodists worldwide to combat a steady rise in substance abuse and addiction. This year's theme, "Together We Learn, Together We Heal," will promote the need for better awareness about addiction and the importance of expanding access to treatment and recovery services. In 2007, some 20.8 million people in the US were in need of treatment for alcohol or illicit drug use, but did not have access to treatment and recovery facilities, according to the US Department of Health and Human Services' Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA). Globally, the World Health Organization estimates that there are 76.3 million people with alcohol-use disorders, and at least 15.3 million people with a drug-use disorder. Melissa H. Davis, executive director of SPSARV, said the awareness campaign would equip congregations with resources, skills, and tools to become a safe and supportive environment for individuals who are struggling with addictions, and their families. "We hope the campaign will demonstrate to United Methodists throughout our church's connectional system the sheer magnitude of the global alcohol and drug problem and encourage congregations to launch addiction ministries and advocate for just public policies in response," said Davis. During the month of September, the campaign will:
Throughout the yearlong campaign, SPSARV will periodically provide campaign materials and other appropriate resources for congregations to use in their faith-based response to alcohol and other drug issues. SPSARV's Hope, Healing and Health reading circle, an interactive online resource for congregational ministries interested in responding to alcohol and other drug addictions, will give church leaders an opportunity to review and offer reflections on a pre-selected book, journal, or magazine article four times a year. The online resource invites readers to actively engage in a virtual discussion on substance-abuse issues. United Methodist congregations can recognize Recovery Month by organizing community events on substance abuse, addiction, and recovery. For last year's observance, Snellville United Methodist Church in Georgia held a community forum where local government officials, school officials, and professionals in counseling were invited to forge a community response to tackle the issue. With the success of the 2008 event, the church will hold a second annual community forum, which is co-sponsored by the City of Snellville Police Department. Other congregational and community activities may involve:
A general church initiative, SPSARV is housed at the General Board of Global Ministries. It works through its United Methodist Inter-Agency and Standing Committee Task Force (IASCTF) to deliver resources throughout the global church. "The task force is critical in ensuring that church agencies are working together to save lives and eliminate the scourge of alcohol and drug addiction," said Richard Shinhoster, chair of IASCTF and a member of Global Ministries' Board of Directors. SPSARV also works in collaboration with the General Board of Church and Society's Alcohol, Other Addictions and Health work area, a program of the denomination's public policy and social action agency, in advocating for public policy on alcohol, other drugs and related violence. To join the yearlong awareness campaign and periodically receive congregational resources, please email spsarv@gbgm-umc.org. For more information on SPSARV, please visit www.umspsarv.org. Articles on National Recovery Month Special Program on Substance Abuse and Related Violence (SPSARV) Since its inception in 1992, SPSARV has galvanized the United Methodist connection to respond to alcohol, other drug and related violence issues. While the general church has made substance abuse and related violence a priority, this global health epidemic continues to rise dramatically. The Church is and must continue to be at the forefront of responding to this global crisis. Worldwide, people in church pews are suffering silently because of their addiction or their loved one's addiction. They need their church community to be informed, compassionate and responsive to their needs. SPSARV represents the Church's commitment to replace the brokenness of the disease of addiction with the promise of God's hope, healing, health and wholeness. Join us in making a witness to God's promise. Your support will provide SPSARV with the resources for an effective churchwide response to alcohol, chemical abuse and dependency and its related violence. Give to Response to Alcohol and Other Drugs Concerns, Advance #982598, equipping United Methodists around the world to respond to alcohol, drugs, and related violence.
Date posted: Aug 24, 2009 |
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