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The month of September launches a yearlong global awareness campaign, sponsored by the United Methodist Special Program on Substance Abuse and Related Violence (SPSARV), to encourage United Methodists to gain a better awareness about alcohol and drug addictions in our congregations and communities, and to create a supportive environment for people struggling with addictions and for their families.

This global campaign also aims to motivate church leaders to become advocates for fair and just laws and policies related to substance abuse and its related violence. SPSARV, housed and administered by the General Board of Global Ministries, is a denomination-wide initiative that addresses alcohol, other drugs, and related-violence concerns.

National Recovery Month, an annual US observance in September, is the catalyst for SPSARV's campaign. The observance's theme, "Together We Learn, Together We Heal," will be highlighted throughout a weekly series of educational articles to inform church leaders about relevant substance-abuse issues, including prevention, intervention, support for families, young people, public policy advocacy, and related violence.

The Rev. Dr. William Lenters, chaplain at United Methodist-affiliated Rosecrance (www.rosecrance.org), a full-service substance abuse treatment center in Rockford, Illinois, kicks off the first of a series of informative articles. The article, Addiction & Recovery 101: 7 Things To Remember (PDF, 2 pp., 47KB), outlines key areas that congregations should be aware of in their compassionate response and journey with individuals living with addictions and in recovery. Click here to download the PDF: It attempts to dispel commonly-held myths about addiction, and points out that it is a chronic, progressive, potentially fatal disease that must be stopped.

The web resource, Basic Facts about Substance Use Disorders, Treatment, and Recovery (Word, 2 pp., 560KB), provides facts on substance abuse disorders and drug treatment facilities in addition to misconceptions about addiction and recovery.

"Education on the disease of addiction is the first step toward truth and compassion," said Melissa H. Davis, SPSARV director. "Through knowledge, we can reclaim the hope, healing, health and ultimately wholeness that are promised to all."

>>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.

	See Also... Topic: Family |  Health |  Focus on Global Health |  Source: GBGM Mission News
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Date posted: Sep 03, 2009