Our state's opioid issues are real, but positive results and hope are already here.
Vermont's issues with opioids are complex, and has worsened in recent years. State programs have been making good progress in the past few years, and more help is on the way. But, there is still a big problem throughout the state.
There are successful programs and ideas that have been under the radar for some time, and Vicki has been working hard to bring attention to them and help people who want to change. You can help and get involved, or if you know someone who is ready to make a change in their struggle with addiction, here's some great information!
“Vicki Strong champions the cause of ending addiction with a moral compass that directs her with a spirited passion for hope in making a difference in the lives of individuals negatively affected by addiction.
Teen Challenge Vermont recognizes Strong for her compassion and relentless care for the addicted.
Addiction carries with it several variables concerning its cause and having a healthy partnership with Long-term Faith Based Recovery and Government supports the probability for communities to overcome such a crises as the opiate epidemic.
It is with great optimism that Teen Challenge Vermont supports the integral efforts of Rep. Vicki Strong.”
Photo from Teen Challenge Vermont's Facebook page.
Teen Challenge Vermont (Residential addiction treatment program)
Teen Challenge Vermont (TCVT) is located on 10.5 acres in Johnson. They work in an environment conducive to helping men (and now women) overcome life controlling issues.
They opened the doors officially and received their first resident in January, 2005. Since then, they have helped hundreds of men learn to live successful quality lives, and Teen Challenge Vermont has grown to include additional locations in Hardwick & Rutland, VT. Their goal is to effectively cover the entire state.
They are opening their first program for women in Vermont, starting in 2018.
TCVT is a program revolving around a faith-based support group approach, but you do not need to be a person of faith to attend and overcome addiction through the program.
TCVT relies almost exclusive on private donations and fundraising revenue streams. They have extremely high success rates with low relapse rates for those who complete their program. If you or someone you know need help overcoming a life controlling addiction issue, click the link below for more info.
There are many ways you can help TCVT, check out more here!
HOw you can help teen challenge vermont:
Programs throughout the state, both tax-funded and privately funded programs are addressing the opiate issue here in Vermont. For folks who advocate for lower tax burdens on state residents, we must step up as individuals, and support programs with proven track records and low impact on tax payers.
Since Teen Challenge relies on private donations, and doesn't turn away people in need of help, there are many ways you can help out.
- You can make a one time donation, or recurring monthly donations HERE.
- Support the program by hiring them, as they gain invaluable work and life experience. Click HERE.
- Donate a used car. Click HERE.
- Shop on Amazon (Smile program) and Amazon will send donations their way while you purchase stuff you already need. Click HERE.
- Purchase items from Teen Challenge VT directly in their online store, including coffee and tea! Click HERE.
"Agricovery" - An essay on recovery by John klar
Another idea (not associated with TCVT):
What if we could restore small farms, reduce taxpayer cost for infrastructure, and provide valuable work and life experience for people in recovery.
"Vermont requires a working model of a recovery program that employs the therapeutic and profit-making benefits of farming while improving recovery rates, training people in a needed trade, combating stigma and providing a healthy local product to our communities. This model could be at least partly self-funded, and thus more economically sustainable. Vermont would be restoring farms, training farmers, and rebuilding our economy and weakened communities upon the agriculture which has always been our sustenance here – with our most dispossessed and needy fellow citizens."
Click the link below to read more.