BRENTWOOD — Every community has a story and 23 communities will share theirs at a Seacoast Public Health Network event at Austin17House on May 18.
The new nonprofit community center on Route 125 will host the interactive workshop addressing addiction, prevention, intervention and recovery. Karen Morton-Clark, substance misuse prevention coordinator with Seacoast Public Health Network, said 23 Rockingham County communities will be represented, allowing for resource sharing and networking among themselves, as well as an opportunity for members of the public to learn more.
“It’s going to look at what is the landscape of prevention in our communities now?” Morton-Clark said. “Successes? Challenges? How can we move forward?”
The event will have a variety of presentations, speakers and small group discussions. Present will be Devin Rowe, executive director at Partnership for a Drug-Free NH, Marty Boldin, the governor’s policy advisor on prevention, treatment and recovery, Chris Placy, executive vice president at Substance Free Workplace, and many more.
“We will also have a recovery panel with speakers who are currently in recovery,” Morton-Clark said. “It’s a message of hope and a layout of their journey. On that panel are two local business owners, one from Exeter.”
Raymond Coalition for Youth, Newmarket ASAP, Southern Rockingham Coalition for Healthy Youth, Safe Harbor Recovery Centers in Portsmouth and Seabrook, Lamprey Health Care, Seacoast Mental Health Center, a grief group called GRASP, the Farnum Center and Families First will all be on-hand to discuss a variety of topics and the future of combating the state’s opioid crisis. Jim and Jeanne Moser, of East Kingston, will speak about their prescription drug campaign called “Zero Left.” The Mosers lost their son Adam to a fentanyl overdose in 2015.
“We’re also showcasing Austin17House because of the exciting work and momentum they have going right now,” Morton-Clark said. Hosting an event as such aligns directly with Austin17House’s mission, as the relatively new community center looks to serve as a “hub” for organizations across the state. READ MORE