‘No One is Alone’

BURLEIGH – Survivors, loved ones, and other supporters gathered at The Lighthouse Church Aug. 29 to remember lives lost from opioids, to share stories about those affected by overdosing, and to recognize those on the frontline fighting the opioid epidemic. 
Chairs (264) with pictures and purple balloons were displayed outside, in memory of those who died from an overdose in Cape May County since 2012.
“I had a child who started drugs at 12,” said The Lighthouse Church’s CURE (Christians United For Recovery) member, Debbie Fiedler, of Villas. “She is doing very well now for the last five years.”
Many loved ones like Fiedler became a part of CURE to support their friends and family and to stop the opioid crisis.
“She got the help because of The Lighthouse Church,” Fiedler said. “I am so proud of her. She has come a long way.”
The church’s Overdose Awareness Day, led by CURE and CARES (Cape Regional Recovery Services), began with Narcan training and other information sessions where everyone could learn about how different people in the county, from prosecutors to nurses in the emergency room, help those who have overdosed make it to recovery.
“Advocacy gave me a voice to speak for my child who had struggled, and to speak for other parents, to try to get involved with legislation and policies that were a problem for my son and for myself,” said Tonia Ahern, of Petersburg.
CURE member Bob Boid had different jobs in law enforcement for 30 years, and talked about how he went from arresting addicts to helping them and their families.
“I spent 13 years putting a lot of drug dealers and drug addicts in jail. That was my job and I did it well,” Boid said. “Then, suddenly, you find yourself with one of your own who is one of them. Now, what do you do? It changed everything.”
Guests entered the gym to hear testimonials from those who’ve had loved ones suffer through overdosing. Survivors also shared their stories of recovery.
“Substance abuse are not political creatures,” said keynote speaker, Patrick Miller. “They do not care if you are rich or poor, gay or straight, black or white. They do not care about what county, state or city you live in.”
Miller, who was an active addict, recovered and is trained to help others recover.
“We must walk away from this building tonight with the understanding that we are the lucky ones, not because life is easy or because we are alive, but because we are now given an opportunity to spread the message that no one is alone in this battle,” Miller said. “We are the flickering light of hope waiting for the substance user who feels lost in a world that they feel has abandoned them.
“We are the crying mother that has lost her son or daughter to an overdose. We are the mentor to the new to recovery user who has reached out a shaking hand, wishing desperately to get better,” he continued.
At the end, Pastor Charlie Harrah led a prayer, and those affected by overdose were encouraged to participate in a sand and stone ceremony, to pray for them.
The church provided purple candles for anyone to take home and light Aug. 31, which is International Overdose Awareness Day.
To contact Christina Urban, email curban@cmcherald.com.