Community Drug Forum Held In Monaca

‘COMING OUT OF THE SHADOWS- SHINING A LIGHT ON THE NEEDS OF THOSE AFFECTED BY ADDICTION”, a program presented at  the third step church at Monacrest Free Methodis Church in Monaca was held Saturday, according to Beaver County Radio News Correspondent Sandy Giordano. RaeAnn Thompson Barlow, chair person and  facilitator for the event on Wednesdays said she is a social worker and a pastor , and worked at Staunton Clinic and a lot of her work was drug and alcohol related , and she has addiction within her own family . The event began at 10 a.m. , there were 6 sessions, each 45 minutes long, attendees were allowed to pick 4 to attend. Dr. Jeff Barlow spoke on the many emotional issues addicts those who love, snd those who help the encounterr. Parenting an addict was presented by Ed and Bev McCombs, their daughter became addicted while in high school , and stole from her family, overdosed in front of her 2 year-old daughter, and other acts that have put the family “through the fire.”  Bev and Ed said that they will give her food, but not money  The baby’s father died from a drug overdose, and the teen lives with the other grandmother , and they have visiting privileges. Other speakers included” Mike Matotek a counselor,,  discussed ideas for the recovering ddict to start living again.  His focus was on time management , as well the impact of recovery on an addict..Ian Lyda  counselor at Recovery House in Cranberry  He spoke on maintenance . meds    as part of treatment for opioid addiction. Rev. Hal hire talked about emotional situations from a personal prospective. Dr. michael Alexander , from Five Star medical Services in ambridge spoke on the disease model: a medical perspective.  Lunch was provided to the attendees


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